Enbridge Gas teams up with Bluewater Fire Services to reduce fire and carbon monoxide deaths through Safe Community Project Zero
Today, Enbridge Gas Inc. (Enbridge Gas) and Bluewater Fire Services announced they are working together to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.
Bluewater Fire Services received 144 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Safe Community Project Zero–a public education campaign with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC) that will provide more than 14,500 alarms to residents in 75 communities across Ontario.
This year, Enbridge Gas invested $450,000 in Safe Community Project Zero, and over the past 16 years, the program has provided more than 101,000 alarms to Ontario fire departments.
When properly installed and maintained, combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms help provide the early warning to safely escape from a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure. Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odourless gas that is a by-product of incomplete combustion of many types of common fuels.
“The best way to reduce potential exposure to carbon monoxide is to properly maintain fuel-burning equipment,” says Megan Shannon, Coordinator Stakeholder Engagement, Enbridge Gas. “These alarms are a critical second line of defence against carbon monoxide poisoning, known as ‘the silent killer’. We’re proud to support our communities, and raise awareness and help Ontarians implement these protection strategies.”
“Across Ontario there is a renewed focus on the importance of having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home. The objective of Safe Community Project Zero is to deliver these alarms to areas where they are needed most,” says John McBeth, Acting Ontario Fire Marshal and Acting Chair of the FMPFSC. “It’s a program that helps fire departments educate their communities about the requirements to have working smoke alarms installed in all Ontario homes and for all Ontario homes to have a carbon monoxide alarm if they have a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage.”
“I’d like to thank Enbridge and the FMPFSC for the work they do and the donation of these alarms. Bluewater Fire Services members have already conducted a door-to-door campaign in the villages and put most of these alarms in service. While conducting door-to-door campaign firefighters used this time to educate the residents on the importance of having working smoke and CO alarms in their home,” says Dave Erb, Bluewater Fire Chief.
In picture from left: Dave Erb, Fire Chief; Megan Shannon, Coordinator Stakeholder Engagement, Enbridge Gas; Laurie Spence Bannerman, CAO; Paul Klopp, Mayor; John Becker, Deputy Mayor; Peter Walden, Stanley East Councillor.