NEWS RELEASE
UNION GAS
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Program aims to reduce fire and carbon monoxide deaths
CONSTANCE LAKE – Union Gas is partnering with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council to provide 15 Ontario fire departments with a total of 500 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for distribution in local communities as part of Project Zero.
Project Zero is a public education campaign that provides combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to residents with the goal of reducing the number of residential fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths to zero.
Since 2009, Project Zero has been launched in 86 Ontario communities.
Union Gas assistant support manager, Paul Dambremont visited the Constance Lake First Nation Fire Hall today to present Constance Lake First Nation fire chief, Irvin Taylor, deputy chief Peter J. Spence and captain Rapheal Sutherland with the alarms.
Also in attending was Constance Lake First Nation Chief Rick Allen and councillor/crisis coordinator Robyn Bunting.
“At Union Gas, the safety of our employees and our communities is our most important core company value,” said Dambremont. “And we share that commitment by supporting much-needed programs like Project Zero that helps us all stay safer.”
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless toxic gas that is often referred to as the “silent killer”.
Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, burning eyes, confusion, drowsiness and even loss of consciousness, without the elevated temperature associated with the flu.
In severe cases, CO poisoning can cause brain damage and death.
The elderly, children and people with heart or respiratory conditions may be particularly sensitive to CO.
Over 80 percent of carbon monoxide-related deaths and injuries in Ontario occur in the home.
A new law amended the Ontario Fire Code in October 2014 to ensure that every home and residential building with a fuel burning appliance, fireplace or an attached garage must have a working carbon monoxide alarm.
Compliance was required by April 2015 for residential buildings with six or less suites and October 2015 for multi-residential buildings with more than six suites.
CO detectors are required near all sleeping areas in residential homes and in the service rooms, and adjacent sleeping areas in multi-residential units.
CO alarms can be hardwired, battery-operated or plugged into the wall.
When properly installed and maintained, combination smoke and CO alarms help provide the early warning that is needed to safely escape from a house fire or CO exposure.
“Constance Lake First Nation First Nation and the Fire Department would like to thank Union Gas and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council for selecting our community to receive combination smoke/CO alarms through Project Zero,” said Taylor. “The campaign to teach awareness and safety regarding carbon monoxide and fire safety is paramount. The combination alarms will help our community members feel safe and secure. Meegwetch.”
Other fire departments in the Union Gas service area that will receive alarms include:
Burlington Fire Department, Cambridge Fire Department, Centre Hastings Fire Department, Espanola Fire Department, Halton Hills Fire Department, North Bay Fire & Emergency Services, North Dumfries Fire Department, Oliver Paipoonge Fire & Emergency Services, Saugeen Shores Fire Department, South Huron Fire Department, South Stormont Fire Rescue, Tecumseh Fire Rescue Services, Wellington North Fire Services and Woodstock Fire Department.
About Constance Lake First Nation Fire Department
The Constance Lake First Nation Fire Department provides service to the rapidly growing first nation community located on the shores of Constance Lake First Nation near Hearst.
The department operates with 10 volunteers and a coordinator and is responsible for fire protection and administration of the Ontario Fire Code.
Department services include education, emergency planning, fire investigation and suppression, hazardous materials information and home safety inspections to ensure all homes are equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers.
The fire hall is located at 19 Nesqua Street and can be reached by calling 705-463-2200.
About the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council
The Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety 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 and Emergency Management, 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.
For more information, visit firesafetycouncil.com or find us on Twitter: twitter.com/FMPFSC and Facebook: facebook.com/firesafetycouncil.
About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with 100 years of experience and service to customers.
The distribution business serves about 1.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across northern, southwestern and eastern Ontario.
Union Gas, named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2015, is a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company with assets of $7 billion and approximately 2,200 employees.
For more information, visit uniongas.com or find us on Twitter: twitter.com/uniongas, Facebook: facebook.com/uniongas and YouTube: youtube.com/user/uniongas.
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