Firefighters with the Wellington North Fire Service will receive more training material as the result of a $5,000 contribution from Union Gas.
Company officials and firefighters met with council Monday evening for a presentation of the funds from the gas utility. Union Gas service manager for Waterloo North Steve Harrison made the presentation of the money, aimed at improving safety among the service’s volunteer firefighters.
“Volunteer firefighters are integral to the safety of residents and business operations in Ontario,” he said. “We believe strongly that this partnership will have long-lasting benefits and will help make Ontario a safer place.”
Wellington North Fire Service was one of seven fire services to receive the Union Gas funding.
“Union gas recognizes that volunteer firefighters play an important role in keeping Ontario safe,” Harrison added. “There are 11,035 full-time firefighters in the province, but there are 19,214 volunteer firefighters. There were over 11,500 outdoor, structure and vehicle fires with losses in Ontario, so the need for well-trained fire services members is evident.”
“I am very please that our service has been chosen to receive this grant,” fire chief Jeff Dahms said of the service’s stations in Arthur and Mount Forest.
“This will help out our firefighters immensely with their education and training.”
Mayor Ray Tout welcomed the funding for training of the township’s volunteer firefighters.
“We’re very proud of the Arthur and Mount Forest stations looking after our homes, businesses and building structures,” Tout said.
