A funding boost from Enbridge comes at an opportune time for area firefighters in order to purchase training materials.
Enbridge Gas presented a $5,000 donation at the Plympton-Wyoming Fire Department Wednesday morning through the Safe Community Project Assist, a program with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council.
Sarnia Operations Advisor Robin Ellwood said in total, Enbridge is donating $250,000 to be shared by 50 communities where Enbridge Gas operates.
"This educational initiative helps fire departments in the communities we serve purchase materials that enhance life-saving firefighter techniques," said Ellwood.
Plympton-Wyoming Fire Chief Darryl Thompson said the $5,000 will go towards training books and manuals.
"Actually this time of year, it's fantastic because there's a certification program going on right now in Ontario," he said. "In addition, we're doing some hazardous materials training, some rope rescue, and some water rescue training and these materials just came at the perfect time."
Thompson said their members go through training twice a month, as per bylaw requirements.
"The training sessions are really quite extensive, usually three to three-and-a-half hours a night," said Thompson. "We add additional training where required."
Since the launch of Safe Community Project Assist in 2012, 294 grants have been awarded to Ontario fire departments for additional training.
"Things change all the time so any training that the firefighters can have is certainly a benefit, not only to them but to our community," said Mayor Gary Atkinson.
The Town of Plympton-Wyoming currently has a team of 56 firefighters who work out of the Wyoming and Camlachie stations.