Pickering Fire Services and Enbridge Gas team up to reduce fire and carbon monoxide deaths through Safe Community Project Zero

Pickering, ON, November 5, 2024 – Pickering Fire Services and Enbridge Gas Inc. (Enbridge Gas) are working together to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.

Pickering Fire Services recently received 312 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,” said Stephen McCormack, Operations Supervisor, GTA East, Enbridge Gas. “These alarms are a critical second line of defence against carbon monoxide poisoning, known as ‘the silent killer.’ We are proud to support our communities, 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,” said 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.”

“On behalf of the City of Pickering, I wish to thank Enbridge Gas for its generous donation of 312 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,” said Pickering Fire Chief, Stephen Boyd. “Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are essential for maintaining fire safety in our community, alerting families to the dangers of smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide, and allowing them time to safely escape. With this donation of alarms, we are better equipped to deliver our fire safety outreach programs to the residents of Pickering. Together we can make a significant difference and empower families to take charge of their fire safety.”

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About the City of Pickering

As the gateway to the east GTA, Pickering (population 100,000) is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet. An award-winning municipality, Pickering is slated for significant economic and residential growth; offering an unparalleled quality of life for those who live, work, and play here. Its dynamic City Centre has been designated by the Province of Ontario as both an Urban Growth Centre and Mobility Hub, and continues to evolve as a preferred destination for creative learning, memorable events, and unique experiences at the heart of a vibrant, connected, and engaged community.

About the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council

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 Twitter @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.

For more information, please contact:

Nigel Robinson, Pickering Fire Services
T. 905.250.0420
nrobinson@pickering.ca

Kathy Ash, Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council
T. 1.866.379.6668 ext. 4
kathy.ash@firesafetycouncil.com

Enbridge Gas Media
enbridgegasmedia@enbridge.com