More than 500 volunteer firefighters from across Ontario were expected to gather here July 30 to Aug. 6.
The annual convention of the Fire Fighters’ Association of Ontario, (FFAO) will be hosted this year by the Grand Valley and District Fire Department and the Grand Valley Firefighter’s Association.
Participating firefighters will undergo a full week of specialized fire and rescue training seminars and exercises, in various locations around the municipality.
The rodeo grounds will become a makeshift campground for firefighters and their families during the convention.
While most events are closed to the public for safety reasons, the public can visit the Grand Valley Community Centre for some of the events, including the Firefighter Games and Competition, the Antique Fire Truck Muster, the Motorcycle Show and Shine Competition, and the Memorial Parade, all scheduled over two days, Aug. 4 to 5.
Officials say it will be “an action-packed weekend of fun, lights, sirens and a lot of entertaining water fights.”
The annual convention brings together firefighters and departments from across the province to provide training, encourage networking and friendly competition and to bring together the families of firefighters who support one another.
For members of the FFAO, this gathering is also part of the non-profit organization’s quarterly membership meeting, providing a forum for new and existing members to make decisions regarding issues related to the future of volunteer firefighting in the province.
The FFAO was founded in 1899 in Toronto and continues to be voice for legislation, training and support for members and firefighters across the province. The non-profit organization is run by a volunteer board of directors. For more information about the annual FFAO Convention 2018 visit www.ffao.on.ca.
The Grand Valley and District Fire Department was established in 1952, providing fire services for the communities of Amaranth, East Garafraxa and Grand Valley.
Fire Chief Kevin McNeilly and his team have been coordinating efforts to host the FFAO convention since last fall and are anticipating an excellent turnout.
For more information contact McNeilly at kmcneilly@gvdfd.com.
