Brampton Fire and Emergency has teamed up with Enbridge Gas Distribution and the Fire Marshal’s Public Safety Council on an initiative aimed at reducing fire and carbon monoxide deaths in Canada’s ninth-largest city.
The City of Brampton announced its participation in “Project Zero” in a release sent July 13.
“Brampton Fire received 762 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Project Zero — a public education campaign that is providing more than 6,600 alarms to residents in 30 Ontario municipalities,” read the city’s release.
Enbridge has invested $200,000 in Project Zero this year. Since 2009, the program has provided 34,384 alarms to be handed out by fire departments across the province.
“We have proof that prevention saves lives. Knowing this, we remain committed to educating our customers about the importance of installing a combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, as well as properly maintaining fuel-burning equipment,” said Grant Kilpatrick from Enbridge Gas Distribution.
“By installing carbon monoxide alarms in their home on every level and adjacent to sleeping areas — residents can help prevent needless tragedies. Project Zero is an invaluable program that helps fire departments educate residents in their community about carbon monoxide alarms,” added Ross Nichols, chair of the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council.
According to the release, Brampton Fire and Emergency Services will focus the program in “hot zones” across the city where fires are most prevalent. Those three areas of the city include: Armbro Heights, in south end, Ridgehill, located in the central-west region of Brampton, and the city centre, in the area of the Bramalea City Centre mall.
“Our crews will be able to distribute these to homes that need them as they reach out into our communities, and we’ve identified some potentially higher-risk and vulnerable groups through our “hot zone” program as other recipients for these alarms,” said Brampton Fire and Emergency Services Chief Bill Boyes in the release.
“We’re grateful to Enbridge and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council for this generous donation of life-saving alarms,” he added.
Link to original article in Brampton Guardian.com: ‘Project Zero’ aims to reduce fire and CO2 deaths in Brampton