The Ontario government is investing over $5 million to recruit, retain and recognize wildland firefighting staff for the 2024 fire season to protect people and communities across the province.
In recognition of the critical services wildland firefighting staff will perform in the upcoming season, a recruitment and retention incentive payment of up to $5,000 will be provided to employees in front-line fire, aviation and critical support positions for the 2024 fire season.
In addition, support staff in the Aviation Forest Fire and Emergency Services Branch at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will receive a one-time payment of up to $1,000.
This incentive payment builds on the government’s ongoing efforts to support wildland firefighting staff, including expanding eligibility for standby, reimbursing eligible expenses related to training and other mandatory courses and reviewing health and safety including personal protective equipment.
We are also creating more than 100 year-round permanent positions for fire rangers and other staff.