Working Together to Reduce Fire and Carbon Monoxide Deaths

Enbridge Gas teams up with Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services through Safe Community Project Zero

RICHMOND HILL, ON, November 6, 2024 – Today, Enbridge Gas Inc. (Enbridge Gas) and Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services (RHFES) announced they are working together to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.

RHFES received 432 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. With a focus on reaching high-risk residents for fire and carbon monoxide injuries and fatalities, the alarms will be distributed through community partners who serve those residents. This includes the elderly, people with disabilities or financial challenges, and new Canadians.

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,” says Rodney Smallwood, Operations Supervisor, GTA West, Enbridge Gas. “These alarms are a critical second line of defence against carbon monoxide poisoning, known as ‘the silent killer’. We’re proud to support our communities and 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,” says 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.” 

“We appreciate the support from Enbridge Gas and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council in our efforts to ensure community safety,” says Bryan Burbidge, RHFES Fire Chief. “Having served in the fire service for over 35 years, I understand all too well the devastating impact that fires and carbon monoxide incidents can have. Functional smoke and carbon monoxide alarms provide crucial early warnings, giving residents more time to escape safely. However, these alarms can only protect you if you take the necessary steps. I urge all residents of Richmond Hill to make sure they have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms installed in their homes. Remember to test all alarms monthly by pressing the test button and check their expiration dates — replace any alarms that are no longer functional.”

About Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services

Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services (RHFES) is a dedicated full-time career department that serves the City of Richmond Hill, providing essential fire, medical, and rescue services to both residents and visitors. Operating 24/7, RHFES is committed to safeguarding lives and property through a comprehensive approach that emphasizes prevention, education, training, and emergency response. For more information, visit RichmondHill.ca/Fire or connect with us on social media @RHFES.

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 175^th 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:

Shanyn Godward, Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services
Tel: 905-883-5444 ext. 2907
Email: sh************@ri**********.ca

Kathy Ash, Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council
Tel: 1-866-379-6668 ext. 4

Email: ka*******@fi***************.com

Enbridge Gas Media
Email: en**************@en******.com