It’s tempting to take our emergency services personnel for granted when things are going well, but their role can suddenly become critical to us when we are forced to summon the local fire department.

I attended a meeting recently in Ottawa with the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. It is unsettling to learn that the vast majority of volunteer fire departments are having trouble recruiting and maintaining their memberships. The chiefs association is asking the federal government to provide some personal income tax relief for volunteer firefighters to attract and retain new members.

The chiefs also want to bolster federal funding for all fire departments under the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program. They advocate public safety through enhanced training and better equipment to address problems that are chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive in nature.

This government’s Speeches from the Throne in 2007 and 2008 noted that modern-day Canadians feel less safe and are concerned about the security of their neighbourhoods and the country. The speeches also acknowledged that Canadians need to feel safe at home and in their communities. An efficient firefighting force can help to keep your home or business from being destroyed – it is an important component of the emergency services package.

The Canadian Fire Services include 3,492 fire departments, and more than 90 percent of them are volunteer departments. In fact, 85,000 volunteers are included among Canada’s 108,000 firefighters, which is about 78 percent of the total enrolment. I believe the federal government has a duty to keep these groups of emergency service personnel vibrant and well-equipped.

The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs has presented our government with the 2010 Agenda for Action. We need to support this agenda to an extent that is practical during these difficult economic times. The chiefs advocate that all new commercial and residential buildings should have water sprinkler systems to help extinguish fires quickly.

We need to remember that fire trucks roll for a variety of emergencies, including accidents that involve planes, trains, automobiles, construction sites and domestic calls. They rush to assist with floods, building collapses, tornadoes, ice storms, and an endless list of life threatening problems.

Our government recognizes the excellent services Canadians receive from our firefighters and I will ensure that the 2010 Agenda for Action is examined carefully to protect ourselves and future generations.

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