For Immediate Release
April 1, 2005

LAURIE SCOTT ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS

Haliburton-Victoria-Brock MPP Laurie Scott today announced that municipal fire departments in her riding will receive a total of $478,000 to help meet training needs and purchase new equipment.

“This is welcome news to our local fire departments,” said Laurie Scott. “However, the new funding will not resolve the ‘double hatter’ issue that has been particularly tough on smaller, rural fire departments.”

The one-time funding comes from the government’s $30-million Ontario Fire Service Grant announced on March 22. Under this grant, municipalities across Ontario will receive $50,000 - $1 million based on their population from the 2001 Census.

Ninety-five percent of the fire departments in Ontario are made up of volunteers or have a volunteer component. “Having double hatters involved with our rural, volunteer fire departments has made our communities safer over the years,” said Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott. “I’m told that in many cases, double hatters have been the training officers in the volunteer squads, and they pass along their expertise and training to the other volunteers.”

Double hatters are paid fire fighters who serve in their off-duty time as volunteer fire fighters in neighbouring communities. This is prohibited by the constitution of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

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