Community Safety First: Enbridge Gas and LaSalle Fire team up for Project Zero

L to R: Anisa Carlone, Mark Seguin, Kristin Paglione, Mayor Crystal Meloche, Mike O'Bright, Ben Townsend, Ryan O'Neill, Rick Malott, Josh Tousignant, Justin Price (in the back).

Today, Enbridge Gas Ontario (Enbridge Gas) and LaSalle Fire Service announced they are working together to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.

LaSalle Fire Service received 252 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 14,200 alarms to residents in 75 communities across Ontario. The approximate retail value of the alarms is $24,400.

This year, Enbridge Gas invested $450,000 in Safe Community Project Zero, and over the past 17 years, the program has provided more than 115,000 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. 

“Carbon monoxide alarms play a vital role as a second line of defense against this invisible threat, often called ‘the silent killerʼ,” says Ben Townsend, Supervisor, Operations, Enbridge Gas. “Proper maintenance of fuel-burning appliances is the most effective way to prevent carbon monoxide exposure. We’re proud to support our communities by raising awareness and helping Ontarians take simple, proactive steps to stay safe in their homes.”

“Each day, fire departments focus their efforts on educating the public about the importance of having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their 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 is a program that not only helps fire departments raise awareness about the legal requirement to have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms installed in all Ontario homes, but also reinforces the critical role they play in saving lives.”

“LaSalle Fire Service is very grateful to have been selected to participate in this program with Enbridge Gas,” says Fire Chief, Ed Thiessen, “Their generous donation to our community will assist us in ensuring some of our more vulnerable populations have the vital early warning protection of working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.”

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 Ontario is Canada’s largest natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company, 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 Ontario is owned by Enbridge (ENB), a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution. Visit enbridgegas.com to learn more.