Aurora, Ont. — The Ontario government is committing more than $746,000 to expand firefighter survival training across the province, a move aimed at strengthening emergency response capacity and ensuring frontline responders have the tools they need to stay safe in dangerous situations.
The funding, announced Monday by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, comes through the province’s Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream and will support the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association (OPFFA) in delivering specialized life-saving programs.
“Our government will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the brave men and women who have our backs when we need it the most,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “By investing in advanced survival training, we’re protecting our firefighting heroes by providing them the skills they need to stay safe in the most dangerous scenarios.”
Training Program Details
At the centre of the investment is the Fire Ground Survival Train-the-Trainer program, created by the International Association of Fire Fighters. Recognized as one of the most comprehensive survival and MAYDAY prevention training programs in the fire service, the initiative is designed to prepare firefighters for life-threatening emergencies.
Training sessions will take place in Toronto in October 2025 and in North Bay during Winter 2026. Using a train-the-trainer model, participants will be certified to pass on their expertise to colleagues within their home departments, ensuring knowledge spreads across Ontario’s firefighting community.
The funding will also purchase a tow vehicle and an additional training trailer dedicated to northern fire services. This move is intended to improve access for firefighters in rural and remote communities, where training resources are often limited.
“The Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association is proud to stand with Minister Piccini and the Ontario government in delivering this vital Skills Development Fund project,” said Greg Horton, President of the OPFFA. “The Fire Ground Survival program equips the men and women who protect our province with the lifesaving training they need to keep communities safe.”
Broader Economic and Labour Context
The new funding builds on Ontario’s larger workforce strategy. Since the launch of the SDF in 2021, the province has invested $1.5 billion to train more than one million workers for in-demand careers. As outlined in the 2025 budget, Ontario plans to add another $1 billion over three years, bringing the total commitment to $2.5 billion.
Officials say the firefighting investment reflects the government’s dual focus on protecting public safety and building workforce capacity. Firefighters face significant occupational risks, with cancer representing one of the leading causes of firefighter fatalities in Canada. Between 50 and 60 deaths annually are attributed to occupational cancer, and about half occur in Ontario.
Legislative changes under the province’s Working for Workers acts have sought to address these risks by improving coverage for cancer claims, including reducing the service requirement for kidney cancer coverage from 20 years to 10 years — the shortest timeline in Canada.
Political and Community Support
The announcement drew praise from government ministers, local representatives and municipal leaders, who emphasized the role firefighters play in safeguarding communities.
“Every day, Ontario’s firefighters put their lives on the line to protect our people, homes and communities,” said Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General of Ontario. “Our government is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with them, ensuring they have the training, resources and support they need to make it home safely.”
Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response, said the investment enhances not only the safety of firefighters but also the province’s overall emergency readiness. “Protecting Ontario means ensuring our emergency responders have the training and equipment they need to keep our province safe, practiced and prepared,” she said.
Local leaders also underscored the importance of extending training resources beyond urban centres. “This investment is critical to our firefighters so they can protect themselves and our loved ones in the most challenging situations,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan and a former volunteer firefighter.
Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas welcomed the funding as a boost for local safety and economic resilience. “It’s an investment in their careers, in our community’s safety and in a stronger, more competitive Ontario,” he said.
Looking Ahead
With more than 33,000 firefighters in Ontario — including 12,500 full-time, 20,000 volunteers and nearly 400 part-time — officials say the new training capacity is expected to have a wide-reaching impact.
The funding aligns with the government’s broader labour market strategy, which includes a current call for SDF project proposals worth $260 million, with applications open until October 1.
For the OPFFA and its members, the focus remains squarely on safety. “It is critical that firefighters across our province have continued access to the tools, training and equipment necessary to protect our communities,” Horton said.
