Enbridge Gas Teams Up with Thames Centre Fire Department to
Reduce Fire and Carbon Monoxide Deaths Through Safe Community Project Zero
THAMES CENTRE, ON – Today, Enbridge Gas Inc. (Enbridge Gas), the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC) and Thames Centre Fire Department announced they are working together to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.
Thames Centre Fire Department received 144 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 Spencer Pray, Senior Advisor, Municipal and Stakeholder Engagement, Enbridge Gas. “These alarms are a critical 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.”
"We are grateful for the support of Enbridge, and for the work done by our local firefighters in promoting fire safety," noted Mayor Sharron McMillan. "These detectors will help keep our community safe, and bring peace of mind to many local families."
“Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are your first line of defense,” says Thames Centre Fire Chief Nick Dorken. “In an emergency situation, they will give you the time needed for you and your family to get to safety. Installing and regularly testing these detectors is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your home and loved ones.”
About the Thames Centre Fire Department
The Municipality of Thames Centre Fire Department consists of two stations, located in the communities of Dorchester and Thorndale. They are staffed by professionally trained volunteers who are dedicated to rapidly responding to 9-1-1 calls for fires, as well as carbon monoxide, vehicular accidents and other emergency medical situations.
About the FMPFSC
The FMPFSC was established in 1993 with a mission to help create “a world where no one is hurt by fire.” Chaired by the Ontario Fire Marshal, the FMPFSC promotes fire prevention and public education through sponsorships and partnerships with various groups and individuals with an interest in public safety. Follow the FMPFSC on X @FMPFSC.
About Enbridge Gas
Enbridge Gas is Canada's largest natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario, with 2023 marking its 175th anniversary of serving customers. The distribution business provides safe, affordable, reliable energy to about 3.9 million customers and is innovating to contribute to a lower-carbon energy future. The storage and transmission business offers a variety of storage and transportation services to customers at the Dawn Hub, the largest integrated underground storage facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Enbridge Gas is owned by Enbridge (ENB), a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution. Visit enbridgegas.com to learn more.
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For more information, please contact:
Michael Ramnanan, Municipality of Thames Centre
Tel: 519-268-7334 ext. 258
Email: mramnanan@thamescentre.on.ca
Kathy Ash, Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council
Tel: 1-866-379-6668 ext. 4
Email: kathy.ash@firesafetycouncil.com
Enbridge Gas Media
Email: enbridgegasmedia@enbridge.com