John and Patty Mock, of Harriston, received a Fire Safety award from the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council at a ceremony on June 3 during the annual awards that recognize outstanding contributions to fire protection and prevention in Ontario.
As owners of the Home Hardware in Harriston and parents of two sons, the Mocks are heavily involved in the community and the local business association.
Last year, John Mock approached the Fire Chief at Minto Fire Department and spoke to him about his frustration with community residents who had told him that they did not have smoke alarms in their homes.
Mock suggested enhancements to the department’s existing smoke alarm program, including that residents who came into Home Hardware stores in the area received a free smoke alarm after completing an information form that which is logged into the fire department system.
Mock also suggested residents who came into the store be given a discount on smoke alarms they need in order to comply with the Ontario Fire Code requirement of having working smoke alarms on every storey of their homes and outside of sleeping areas. To date, almost 400 smoke alarms have been distributed.
"This partnership has raised the awareness of how important working smoke alarms are," said Ontario Fire Marshal Pat Burke. "By increasing the number of smoke alarms in homes, the Mocks have made their community a safer place from fire."
Fire departments throughout the province nominated individuals and organizations for this year’s awards; 20 recipients were selected. The Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Rick Bartolucci and Fire Marshal Burke presented the awards at a luncheon ceremony at the Sutton Place Hotel.
