NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE-INNISFIL MPP ANDREA KHANJIN
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MPP Andrea Khanjin announced today that the Ontario Government is investing $39,400 to help Barrie Fire and Emergency Service, and $13,600 for Innisfil Fire and Rescue Service to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will enhance fire safety training and support safety inspection programs to ensure compliance with the Ontario Fire Code.
“This new investment will enhance fire safety in Barrie and Innisfil by providing the technology and equipment needed to support training and fire inspections during these unprecedented times” said Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie and Innisfil. "Our government is committed to supporting Ontario’s fire services and thank them for their dedication to protecting our communities.”
The funding is part of a $5 million provincial investment to help municipal fire services respond to the local impacts of COVID-19 which created risks and unprecedented challenges for fire departments to conduct training and fire safety inspections. This one-time funding will enhance in-person and online educational instruction needs by increasing access to additional training. It will also support updates to specialized critical equipment, such as high-speed internet, to enhance virtual training and enable remote options to support fire safety and compliance with Ontario's Fire Code while minimizing exposure to the virus.
“This important funding supports our ongoing efforts to ensure our firefighters continue to receive both the physical and mental health training they need to maintain good response times, respond to emergencies, and keep our community safe,” said Interim Innisfil Fire and Rescue Services Chief, Jim Kay. “Despite all the challenges we face due to the COVID-19 pandemic, residents can rest assured they have a solid fire service thanks to the rigorous training they receive. We sincerely appreciate this support from the Province.”
“Barrie Fire and Emergency Service would like to thank the provincial government for recognizing the challenges faced by the fire service during the COVID-19 pandemic”, said Barrie Fire Chief Corey Mainprize. “The funding assistance will provide us the opportunity to improve our technology and training to deliver fire protection services during the pandemic. The funding will be used to purchase mobile technology to support virtual inspections and staff training.”
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