Enbridge Gas Ontario teams up with Fort Erie Fire Department for Safe Community Project Zero

Enbridge Gas Ontario teams up with Fort Erie Fire Department to Reduce Fire and Carbon Monoxide Deaths through Safe Community Project Zero

Town of Fort Erie, ON, November 12, 2025 – Today, Enbridge Gas Ontario (Enbridge Gas) and the Fort Erie Fire Department announced they are working together to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.

The Fort Erie Fire Department received 252 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 14,200 alarms to residents in 75 communities across Ontario.

This year, Enbridge Gas invested $450,000 in Safe Community Project Zero, and over the past 17 years, the program has provided more than 115,000 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.

“Carbon monoxide alarms play a vital role as a second line of defense against this invisible threat, often called ‘the silent killerʼ,” says Julie Alexander, Senior Advisor, Municipal & Stakeholder Engagement, Enbridge Gas. “Proper maintenance of fuel- burning appliances is the most effective way to prevent carbon monoxide exposure. We’re proud to support our communities by raising awareness and helping Ontarians take simple, proactive steps to stay safe in their homes.”

“Each day, fire departments focus their efforts on educating the public about the importance of having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their 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 is a program that not only helps fire departments raise awareness about the legal requirement to have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms installed in all Ontario homes but also reinforces the critical role they play in saving lives.”

“In 2024, 111 fire related deaths occurred in Ontario, and on average, 60 percent of homes in Ontario are not compliant with smoke alarm regulations. Fort Erie is not different,” says Fire Chief Mark Schmitt. "This generous donation is about ensuring that every resident has the basic right to be safe in their home. Working smoke alarms are our first and most critical line of defense against tragedy, and this act of kindness will undoubtedly save lives in our community."

Backgrounder

About the Fort Erie Fire Department

The Fort Erie Fire Department consists of the fire chief, deputy fire chief, two full-time fire prevention officers, one full-time fire prevention inspector, one chief training officer, two administration support staff, a mechanic and a 100% volunteer suppression complement, with 100 trained and certified volunteer firefighters supporting emergency response calls out of four stations. The department responds to approximately 1,200 calls per year.

Public Education is a priority to the Fort Erie Fire Department. Approximately 12 public educators are dedicated to a volunteer public safety team, which assists in our door to door smoke alarm program, S.A.F.E (Smoke Alarms Fort Erie), in addition to community events, school presentations and junior firefighter camps.

About the FMPFSC

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 X @FMPFSC.

About Enbridge Gas Ontario

Enbridge Gas Ontario is Canada's largest natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario. With more than 175 years of service, it delivers safe, affordable, reliable energy to over 4 million customers. It is investing in innovations that modernize how energy is produced, delivered and used to support a lower emission future. The storage and transmission business offers a variety of storage and transportation services to customers at the Dawn Hub, Canada’s largest integrated underground storage facility and one of the largest in North America. Enbridge Gas is owned by Enbridge Inc. (ENB), a North American-based leader in energy transportation and distribution. Visit enbridgegas.com to learn more.

Media Kit Photos (for download)