Enbridge Gas teams up with Cornwall Fire Services to Reduce Fire and Carbon Monoxide Deaths through Safe Community Project Zero

Today, Enbridge Gas Inc. (Enbridge Gas), the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC) and Cornwall Fire Services announced they are working together to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide- related deaths down to zero.

Cornwall Fire Services received 228 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Safe Community Project Zero–a public education campaign 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 Ian Presley, Operations Supervisor, Cornwall and Area, 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 Jon Pegg, Ontario Fire Marshal and 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.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Enbridge Gas and FMPFSC for their generous donation of these smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,” says Deputy Chief Leighton Woods. “These alarms will play a vital role in helping us protect the safety of our community, ensuring that more homes are equipped with these life saving devices. It’s partnerships like this that allow us to continue our mission of the public safety.