Photo Karen Graham.
Enbridge gas provided Cavan Monaghan Township’s Fire Department with 120 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms valued over $7100 for distribution to residents considered high risk. Our is one of 30 fire departments recipients as part of the 2018 Fire Marshal and Enbridge Gas Project Zero Campaign. Pictured from left to right are Bill Balfour, Fire Chief, Jordan Landry, Councillor, Ryan Huntley, Councillor, John Fallis, Deputy Mayor, Scott McFadden, Mayor, Don Armitage, Enbridge Gas Distribution, Joe Casey, Fire Marshal’s Public Safety Council, Tim Belch, Councillor, Timmi Brady and Pat Schier of Millbrook Community Care.
At the July Council meeting, Enbridge Gas Distribution, the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council and the Township of Cavan Monaghan Fire Department announced a partnership to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide- related deaths down to zero.
The Township of Cavan Monaghan Fire Department received 120 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Project Zero – a public education campaign that is providing more than 6,600 alarms to residents in 30 Ontario municipalities this year. This year, Enbridge Gas Distribution invested $200,000 in Project Zero. Since 2009, the project has seen the distribution of 34,384 alarms to Ontario fire departments.
When properly installed and maintained, combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms help provide the early warning that is needed 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. It is important that all fuel-burning equipment be properly maintained to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Carbon monoxide alarms are recommended as a second line of defense to protect against the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
“We have proof that prevention saves lives. Knowing this, we remain committed to educating our customers about the importance of installing a combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, as well as properly maintaining fuel-burning equipment,” says Don Armitage, Enbridge Gas Distribution.
“It is essential that Ontarians protect themselves and their families from carbon monoxide poisoning,” says Ross Nichols, Ontario Fire Marshal and Chair of the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council. “By installing carbon monoxide alarms in their home on every level and adjacent to sleeping areas – residents can help prevent needless tragedies. Project Zero is an invaluable program that helps fire departments educates residents in their community about carbon monoxide alarms.”
“It is extremely important that our public education efforts target all demographic groups in our community and that everyone has working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,” says Bill Balfour, Township of Cavan Monaghan Fire Chief. “We have created a partnership with Community Care, Millbrook to reach out and educate our older demographic and ensure they have working smoke alarms in their homes. The combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with a ten (10) year battery life provided to us by Project Zero will be distributed to high risk groups within the community, giving them peace of mind of having reliable early warning.” KG
