More than $100K allotted for firefighter training program in Mississauga

A Mississauga firefighting training program is getting a boost from the provincial government.

The program is one of four to get funding. A total of $700,000 is going to innovative and free training projects designed for 203 professional and volunteer firefighters around the province, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced today (May 15) in Mississauga.

The City of Mississauga is receiving $101,099 for the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Fire Ground Survival program.

This internationally recognized program teaches firefighters how to prevent mayday situations including how to perform potentially life-saving actions should they become lost, trapped or injured, said Fire Chief Deryn Rizzi of Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services.

The Fire Ground Survival program also provides crucial skills training in the areas of self-rescue, rapid intervention and firefighter survival techniques as well as hazard recognition, effective communication and situational awareness to improve survivability and decrease the potential of injury and death of firefighters.

“Training and skills development is the foundation for our team; helping strengthen capabilities while reducing injuries and potential risk,” said Rizzi.

The remaining funding is going to the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association and the Town of Georgina.

The Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association is receiving $367,105 for the Fire Ground Survival Program and $65,995 for the Peer Support Program for suicide awareness and crisis intervention.

And the Town of Georgina is receiving $176,000 for the Professional Development Georgina Fire and Rescue Services project.

Firefighting is among the most stressful careers in Ontario, Ford said.

“Our firefighters are true heroes who face danger head-on and without hesitation to protect our communities and our people,” said Ford. “These new investments will help to ensure they have the training and resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.”

Firefighters are heroes who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.

We owe it to our firefighters to provide them with the best training possible, and that’s exactly what we’re doing with our $700,000 investment to prepare them for any situation. pic.twitter.com/OFlR47UKpy

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) May 15, 2023