Ontario Boosts Firefighters Training with $10 Million Investment
THE BLUE MOUNTAINS — In a significant move to bolster community safety and support the professional development of firefighters, the Ontario government has announced an investment of over $10 million. This funding will be directed towards building five state-of-the-art training facilities and providing extensive training for thousands of firefighters across the province.
“Investments in firefighter training are investments in the safety and resilience of our communities,” said Premier Doug Ford during the announcement. “This new funding will help ensure that our firefighters have the skills and resources they need to protect people and communities and return home safely to their families.”
The lion’s share of the investment, over $9 million, will be funneled through the capital stream of the province’s Skills Development Fund (SDF) to construct five new training centers. These facilities are projected to train more than 28,000 firefighters over the next five years, addressing the emergency response needs of Ontario’s growing communities and allowing local firefighters to receive essential training closer to home.
At this morning’s @opffa convention, I was proud to announce that our government is supporting Ontario firefighters with more than $10 million in support through our Skills Development Fund.
These funds will help build five new state-of-the-art training facilities and train or… pic.twitter.com/y70t47CkyA
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) June 24, 2024
In addition to infrastructure, the province, in partnership with the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association (OPFFA), is allocating approximately $970,000 to a training project aimed at providing Fire Ground Survival training. This program will be available to firefighters in the Niagara, Toronto, and Kingston regions. Furthermore, the Town of Georgina will receive provincial support to enhance the training and skills development of its volunteer firefighters.
“Our firefighters are true heroes who face danger head-on and without hesitation to protect our communities,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “By investing in these projects, we’re helping to ensure our firefighters have the training they need to keep both themselves and others safe. By expanding training capacity, we’re opening doors for more people who want to become firefighters and protect our communities.”
Breakdown of Allocations:
- Town of Georgina: $550,436 to construct a new Fire & Rescue Training Facility.
- Town of Orangeville: $3,667,650 for a new Fire Services Campus, replacing the current facility.
- Town of Newmarket: $865,046 to build a new fire training facility in Aurora.
- Municipality of Clarington: $3,216,384 to develop a new fire training complex.
- Town of Hanover: $780,331 to construct a new fire hall for local training.
- OPFFA Fire Ground Survival Train-the-Trainer Program: $970,150 to deliver survival training across Niagara, Toronto, and Kingston regions.
- Town of Georgina – Community Safety Skills Development: $439,373 for volunteer firefighter training.
This substantial funding is part of the Ontario government’s broader commitment to investing more than $1 billion annually in employment services and training programs such as Better Jobs Ontario and the Skills Development Fund Training Stream. These initiatives are designed to help workers acquire the skills needed for well-paying, meaningful careers within their communities.
The announcement highlights the government’s ongoing efforts to attract, support, and protect workers, reinforcing Ontario’s position as a prime location to work, live, and raise a family. As these new training facilities and programs come online, Ontario’s firefighters will be better equipped than ever to serve and safeguard their communities.