Blake Ellis/The Independent

The Village of Oil Springs wants to do more to protect its volunteer firefighters.

The village has submitted an application to the provincial fire protection grant to allow for an air exchanger to be purchased for the Oil Springs and South Enniskillen Fire Department.

Oil Springs Clerk Martha Gawley informed council at its Oct. 7 meeting. The grant is to help fund cancer prevention initiatives for municipal firefighters and can be used to purchase equipment, supplies and minor infrastructure upgrades. This is part of a larger provincial effort to support firefighter health and safety.

Gawley said the $16,000 only represents half of the cost of air exchanger.

This is not the first time the department has talked about changes to improve firefighter safety after a call.

In 2024, the Ministry of Labour said Oil Springs and South Enniskillen Fire Department needs new washrooms and shower facilities for firefighters to decontaminate after a call.

A report discussed at both Enniskillen Township and Oil Springs councils last week, says the Ministry of Labour inspected the Oil Springs hall and found there was a need for dirty/clean change rooms.

An addition on the back of the fire hall could accommodate the change rooms meant to remove any harmful chemicals firefighters encounter.

Construction on that could be years away, council was told in Feb. 2024.

Among other grants will receive this year, there will be $125,000 from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund for 2026, an increase of $12,500 from last year.

That cash helps pay for improvements to roads, bridges, as well as water and sewage systems. It is based on the community’s population, according to the province.