At the 2019 Toronto launch of Project Zero are, from left: Deputy Toronto Fire Chief Larry Cocco; TFS Public Educator Marianne Sassi; Sparky, the Fire Dog; Debbie Visconti, CC55's executive director; Tracey Teed Martin, director of Toronto region operations at Enbridge Gas; and John Doucette of the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall and Emergency Management. - Joanna Lavoie/Torstar
Aside from receiving toys, gifts, and food this holiday season, more than 800 less fortunate families in east Toronto will also be receiving a combo smoke/carbon monoxide alarm in their Share-A-Christmas hamper.
Late last week, Toronto Fire Services and Enbridge Gas announced Community Centre 55 (CC55) in the Upper Beach would be receiving the potentially life-saving devices through the Toronto iteration of the Project Zero program, which distributes smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms throughout Ontario.
The province-wide campaign, which also urges people to install, test, and maintain their devices and ensure they take steps to prevent fires and carbon-monoxide poisoning, gives fire departments in Ontario smoke/carbon-monoxide alarms for distribution in high-risk communities.
Enbridge Gas, which has supported the program since its inception 10 years ago, donated almost $50,000 to purchase the alarms this holiday season for Share-A-Christmas campaign families. The energy company has contributed $1.3 million to Project Zero in the last decade.
“This is an incredible, life-saving donation,” Deputy Fire Chief Larry Cocco said during the Dec. 4 announcement at Toronto Fire Station 226, 87 Main St.
Debbie Visconti, CC55’s executive director, said people who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, and feed and buy Christmas gifts for their children, don’t always think to buy fire alarms for their home.
“We’re thrilled to be providing the community with safety and security,” she said during the launch event.
Link to original article on toronto.com: 800 east Toronto families getting smoke/carbon-monoxide alarms