Enbridge Gas Distribution, the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council and local fire departments are working together for a safer Ontario with $200,000 in funding for two Safe Community programs – Project Zero and Project Assist.
Through Project Zero, up to 15 fire departments will deliver more than 2,900 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to Ontario homes and Project Assist will help 20 Ontario fire departments with volunteer firefighters purchase firefighting training education programs.
This year, Enbridge has donated $100,000 to expand Project Zero, a public education program aimed at reducing residential fire and carbon monoxide deaths to zero. Since the launch in Toronto in 2009, Enbridge has supported the delivery of Project Zero to 34 Ontario communities.
Project Zero is the first program of its kind in the Town of Erin and all involved with the project are excited that the Town of Erin Fire Department was selected to participate in this program.
The Town of Erin Fire Department, in partnership with East Wellington Community Services (EWCS), is distributing 184 combination fire and carbon monoxide alarms to vulnerable individuals of Erin, including families with small children and area seniors and/or their related caregivers.
“This program is a wonderful partnership and is another way that East Wellington Community Services works together within the community to help those who need it the most and, in this case, help prevent residential fires or poisoning caused by carbon monoxide,” said Erika Westcott, manager of community and volunteer services with EWCS.
“We want everyone to be safe – especially those clients who are most at risk for not having a proper alarm system in place.”
Fire Chief Dan Callaghan said, “The town is excited to have this wonderful opportunity through Project Zero to help provide safety measures for those in our community who need it the most.”
Added Erin fire prevention officer Len Papp, “Combination carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, when properly installed and maintained, provide an early warning that is needed to help residents safely escape from a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure.”
For more information on this project or for people to determine if they are qualified to receive an alarm units, contact Wescott at 519-833-9696.
