TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 6, 2013) -
Editors' Note: There is a photo associated with this release.
Enbridge Gas Distribution ("Enbridge") (TSX:ENB) (NYSE:ENB), the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council and local fire departments are working together for a safer Ontario with $200,000 in funding for two Safe Community programs - Project Zero and Project Assist. Through Project Zero, up to 15 fire departments will deliver more than 2,900 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to Ontario homes and Project Assist will help 20 Ontario fire departments with volunteer firefighters purchase firefighting training education programs.
This year, Enbridge has donated $100,000 to expand Project Zero, a public education program aimed at reducing residential fire and carbon monoxide deaths to zero. Since the launch in Toronto in 2009, Enbridge has supported the delivery of Project Zero to 34 Ontario communities.
Designed to supplement existing training in the communities where Enbridge operates, Project Assist is an Enbridge program that provides funds to purchase educational materials for enhancements in life-saving firefighting techniques. This year, a $100,000 donation will be shared by 20 Ontario fire departments with volunteer firefighters.
"Project Zero makes a difference in Ontario communities," said Ted Wieclawek, Ontario Fire Marshal and Chair, Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council. "Earlier this year, a combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm installed in a community, through Project Zero, was credited with helping a family safely escape a dangerous situation. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are critical to providing community residents with an early warning, so they may safely escape if fire or carbon monoxide occurs in their homes."
"Safety is a priority at Enbridge and we're proud to support Ontario firefighters who share in our commitment to help keep our communities safe," said Doug Lapp, Director, Operations Governance and Control, Enbridge Gas Distribution. "Together, through Project Zero and Project Assist, we can help keep customers safe and help remind them of the importance of installing combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and properly maintaining all fuel-burning appliances."
Project Zero
The alarms will be distributed to homes in neighbourhoods where the number of residential fires and fire-related deaths and injuries have been higher than average. During 2012, 70 people died as a result of fires in Ontario and 59 of those deaths resulted from residential fires.
In Ontario, it is the law that every home must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. While carbon monoxide alarms are not currently legislated in Ontario, they are highly recommended by the Ontario Fire Marshal. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, when properly installed and maintained 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. Proper maintenance of all fuel-burning appliances is critical 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.
Project Assist
Project Assist is an Enbridge Gas Distribution safety initiative supported through its Safe Community program. The program was launched in 2012 and will now include assisting 20 additional Ontario fire departments.
About the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council
The Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council (Council) is a registered charity established in 1993 with a mission to help create "a world where no one is hurt by fire." The Council, chaired by the Ontario Fire Marshal and supported by the Office of the Fire Marshal, operates at arm's length from the government and promotes fire prevention and public education through sponsorships and partnerships with various groups and individuals with an interest in public safety.
About Enbridge
Enbridge delivers more than the energy people count on. We deliver on our promise to help make communities better places to live.
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. It is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution and one of the 2013 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Enbridge Inc. has been selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2013 and is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. Enbridge Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to two million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New York State and New Brunswick. For more information visit www.enbridgegas.com.
To view the photo associated with this release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20130506-506enb.jpg
For more information please contact:
Debbie Forrest
(613) 498-6247, ext: 100
debbie.forrest@firesafetycouncil.com
Enbridge Gas Distribution
Chris Meyer
(416) 753-6626
chris.meyer@enbridge.com
