Fort Erie Fire Department Receives OAFC Mental Wellness Program Bursary

MEDIA RELEASE

FORT ERIE (September 07, 2023) – The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) has selected the Fort Erie Fire Department as the recipient of one of 20 bursaries to develop mental wellness programs. Each bursary is worth a total of $10,000. The Fort Erie Fire Department will use this gift to ensure our firefighters have the mental wellness tools and resources to face challenging situations. The OAFC is dedicated to enhancing mental health and resilience among Ontario firefighters. Their goal is to "train every firefighter in mental health resiliency training and to help heal those suffering from mental health illnesses."

QUOTE

" On behalf of the Fort Erie Fire Department, I want to thank the OAFC for selecting us to receive one of the Mental Wellness Program bursaries. The bursary will help ensure that both our full-time fire employees and volunteer firefighters undergo additional mental health training to help deal with the difficult situations they face in the line of duty. As first responders, mental health is essential to maintain a well-balanced team. The department needs to be not only physically prepared for challenges but mentally prepared as well."

– Fort Erie Fire Chief, Mark Schmitt

Visit the firefightingincanada.com website for more details