Brockville council to consider grant application for fire hall upgrades aimed at reducing cancer risks

Brockville City Council will consider authorizing city staff to apply for a provincial Fire Protection Grant to help fund renovations at Fire Station No. 1 at 61 Perth Street designed to reduce firefighters’ exposure to cancer-causing contaminants.

At their regular meeting Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, council will be asked to approve an application to the Ontario Fire Protection Grant program to renovate part of the aging station’s main floor by creating a dedicated bunker gear storage area separated from the apparatus bay.

According to a staff reported submitted in advance of the meeting, the proposed project would establish a physically enclosed storage room equipped with a negative-pressure ventilation system to prevent dangerous contaminants from spreading into clean areas of the fire hall.

The report notes that Station No. 1, which is more than 100 years old, predates modern fire hall design standards that separate “hot” and “cold” zones. As a result, the station must retrofit the station to meet occupational health guidelines by isolating gear storage from active truck bays.

During fire responses, turnout gear absorbs hazardous substances, including volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Following responses, contaminated gear dries back at the station, where it can release toxic vapours into surrounding workspaces unless properly separated.

In the report, Director of Fire and Partner Services Melanie Jones says the renovations are intended to improve firefighter health and safety by reducing exposure to harmful airborne contaminants commonly linked to firefighting, while also improving overall storage and organization at the station.

Specifically, this work would include installing wall-mounted gear racks, constructing the enclosed storage room, modifying the HVAC system to maintain negative pressure, completing electrical upgrades and retaining architectural design services.

In addition to protecting firefighter health, Jones says the enclosed storage area would help extend the lifespan of bunker gear by shielding it from diesel residue, oils, and ultraviolet light that can degrade protective materials over time.

The total project is estimated to cost approximately $43,000. If approved, the provincial grant could provide up to $36,000 toward the renovations, with the city’s remaining contribution proposed through the 2027 municipal budget if the application is successful.