Project Zero helps reduce fire and carbon monoxide deaths

HAMILTON, ON - Today, the Hamilton Fire Department (HFD) and Enbridge Gas Inc. announced they are working to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide related deaths down to zero.

“Carbon monoxide is known as the ‘silent killer’ for a reason, and we have proof that prevention saves lives. We know that the best way to avoid carbon monoxide exposure is to eliminate it at the source by properly maintaining fuel-burning equipment, and that the alarms are a critical second line of defense to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.”  -Murray Costello, Director, GTA West and Southeast Region Operations, Enbridge Gas Inc.

The HFD received 576 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Project Zero, – a public education campaign, run by Enbridge, that will provide more than 9,100 alarms to residents in 40 municipalities across Ontario. These alarms will be distributed by the Hamilton Fire Department throughout the community over the next few months.

“The objective of Project Zero is to deliver combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to Ontario communities who need them the most. It’s a program that municipal fire departments can adopt to help educate their communities about the requirement for all Ontario homes to have a CO alarm if they have a fuel burning appliance or an attached garage.” - Jon Pegg, Ontario Fire Marshal and Chief, Emergency Management

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.

“I would like to personally thank Enbridge for their generous donation of 576 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to the Hamilton Fire Department. We will be distributing theses alarms to residents to help improve the level of home safety within our community. The early warning that these alarms provide can mean the difference between life and death.” - David R. (Dave) Cunliffe , Fire Chief, Hamilton Fire Department

“People’s safety is our top priority. Carbon monoxide can only be detected with a carbon monoxide alarm. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors help keep people safe. Thank you Enbridge for being a wonderful partner and investing in the safety of our people.” -Mayor Fred Eisenberger

Quick facts

• This year, Enbridge Gas Inc. invested $275,000 in Project Zero, and over the past 11 years, the program has provided more than 44,356 alarms to Ontario fire departments.
• The combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms granted to the HFD through Project Zero have a retail value of $34,544.
• Over 75 per cent of the structure fires occurring in Hamilton happen in residences.
• In Ontario more than 56 per cent of the injuries and deaths from carbon monoxide occur in the home.
• The HFD is dedicated to preserving life, property and the environment in Hamilton through an integrated program of fire protection and rescue services and emergency management.
• The HFD is an all-hazards operation that serves a city of over half a million people through three levels of service: full-time/career emergency response services in urban areas, volunteer emergency response services in rural areas and a composite emergency response service with a mix of career and volunteer for suburban areas of the city.