Photo: The Whitewater Region Fire Department received 102 smoke and carbon monoxide combination detectors, which will be split between the five firehalls in the municipality. On hand for the presentation Monday afternoon were, from left, Whitewater Region fire prevention officers Tina Spurrell, Jamie Caswell, firefighter Garry Brown, fire prevention officer Roy Church, deputy-fire chief Mike Moore, Fire Chief Wayne Heubner, acting-Chief Administrative Officer Marsha Hawthorne, Andre Gaudette from Enbridge Gas, Tawnya Roberts from the Fire Marshal’s Office and fire prevention officer Terry Moore.
By CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — It’s the law…all homes must have a carbon monoxide detector and a smoke detector.
To help ensure all home owners are obeying the law, Enbridge Gas Distribution, the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council and the Township of Whitewater Region Fire Department are partnering to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths to zero.
The fire department received 102 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Project Zero – a public education campaign that is providing a total of 3,330 alarms to residents in 15 Ontario municipalities.
This year, Enbridge invested $100,000 in Project Zero. Since 2009, Project Zero has been launched in 78 communities.
Whitewater Region Fire Chief Wayne Heubner said in the last few years, there have been a few homes without detectors. However, many times when the firefighters arrive on scene, the detector’s high-pitched scream can be heard.
Chief Heubner noted there is a fine for those who do not comply with the law, but rather than come down heavy-handed, the fire department prefers to work with the home owners.
When properly installed and maintained, a 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’s important that all fuel-burning equipment be properly maintained to prevent carbon monoxide build-up. Carbon monoxide alarms are a second line of defense to protect against the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
“Safety is a top priority at Enbridge and we are committed to helping ensure that there are no deaths due to carbon monoxide exposure in Ontario,” said Michael Wagle from Enbridge Gas Distribution.
“This partnership will help educate customers about the importance of installing a combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm as well as properly maintaining fuel-burning equipment.”
Enbridge Gas Distribution has a more than 165-year history and is Canada’s largest natural gas distribution company.
Arthur Pullan, executive director of the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council said, “The ongoing partnership between Enbridge Gas Distribution and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council for Project Zero has resulted in the distribution of more than 24,000 combination alarms in Ontario communities. Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives and we are proud to support this program in an effort to help ensure the safety of Ontario residents who may have otherwise not been able to have these life-saving devices in their homes.
The 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 promotes fire prevention and public education through sponsorships and partnerships with various groups and individuals with an interest I public safety.
Fire Chief Heubner agreed with Mr. Pullan.
“The safety of our residents is a priority for our department and we know that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives,” he said. “I would like to thank Enbridge Gas Distribution and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council for the donation of these combination alarms that will help us to ensure that more of our residents are protected by these life-saving devices.”
Chief Heubner noted residents can purchase individual detectors or a combination detector. Each fire vehicle within the municipality now has combination detectors, which can be provided to residents who still require one for their home.
He noted the Whitewater Region fire department consists of approximately 75 trained volunteer firefighters operating under the direction of a part-time fire chief and part-time deputy-fire chief. A station captain oversees the day-to-day operation of each fire station. There is a fire station in each of the major centres of the municipality — Cobden, Haley Station, Beachburg, Foresters Falls and Westmeath.
The fire department provides services to more than 6,200 residents, covering an area of approximately 537 square kilometres.
