WHEREAS the role of Ontario’s 441 fire departments and their approximate 30,000 full, part‐time, and volunteer firefighters is to protect Ontarians and their property; and
WHEREAS according to the Ontario Fire Marshal and Emergency Management’s latest data, in Ontario there was over 11,000 number of loss fires, 9,500 no loss fires, 784 injuries, 91 fatalities, and over $820 million dollars of estimated loss in 2018; and
WHEREAS fire emergencies only make up a portion of the total calls for help received by fire and emergency service departments as they respond to nearly every public emergency, disaster, or 9‐1‐1 call; and
WHEREAS Ontario’s fire department infrastructure deficit continues to grow annually and is almost entirely borne by the municipality and local taxpayers with the majority having populations under 25,000; and
WHEREAS due to antiquated structures and equipment that do not meet current industry standards the safety of the Ontario public and Ontario firefighters is being jeopardized;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Municipality of Mississippi Mills endorses the initiative of the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Calvin:
THAT the Federal and Provincial Government includes apparatuses, training, equipment and structures for fire departments as eligible categories to any further infrastructure programs which will not only provide immediate stimulus to the local, provincial and federal economies given current economic uncertainty but also ensure the safety of Canadians and dedicated firefighters; and
AND THAT a letter of support be sent to the Municipality of Calvin, the Honourable Doug Ford Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Honourable Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure, local MPP, local MP, the Ontario Fire Marshal, Jon Pegg, the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, and AMO.