Coldstream, ON, February 1, 2023 – Enbridge Gas Inc. (Enbridge Gas) is helping Middlesex Centre Fire Services purchase firefighting training materials, through Safe Community Project Assist–a program with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC) that supplements existing training for Ontario volunteer and composite fire departments in the communities where Enbridge Gas operates.
“At Enbridge Gas, safety is our priority. We’re proud to support Ontario firefighters who share our commitment to keeping our communities safe, healthy and vibrant,” says Ania Bialecki, Supervisor Operations, Southwest Region, Enbridge Gas.
This year’s $250,000 donation from Enbridge Gas will be shared by 50 Ontario fire departments, including Middlesex Centre Fire Services. Funds are used to purchase educational materials to assist in training firefighters in life-saving techniques.
Since the launch of Safe Community Project Assist in 2012, 294 grants have been provided to Ontario fire departments for additional firefighter training.
“Safe Community Project Assist improves access to training materials for fire departments,” says Jon Pegg, Ontario Fire Marshal and Chair of the FMPFSC. “Firefighting can be dangerous and unpredictable, and these training materials positively contribute to the health and safety of firefighters and the broader community.”
“Keeping our firefighters up-to-date with the latest in life-saving techniques is critical to our ability to respond safely and effectively during emergencies,” says Colin Toth, Director of Fire and Emergency Services and Fire Chief for Middlesex Centre. “This donation through Safe Community Project Assist will help ensure our firefighters receive the training they need to best serve our community.”
About Middlesex Centre Fire Services
Middlesex Centre Fire Services offer a first line of response for fires, accidents, and other emergencies in our community. Over 110 professional, paid-on-call firefighters and a handful of full-time staff work out of five fire stations located across the municipality. In 2022, firefighters responded to 417 calls for assistance, and provided inspections, investigation and education and awareness training across the municipality. Learn more at middlesexcentre.ca/fire.
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 Twitter @FMPFSC.
About Enbridge Gas
Enbridge Gas Inc., formed on January 1, 2019 from the amalgamation of Union Gas Limited and Enbridge Gas Distribution, is Canada's largest natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with a more than 170-year history of providing safe and reliable service to customers. The distribution business serves about 3.8 million customers, heating over 75 per cent of Ontario homes. The storage and transmission business offers a variety of storage and transportation services to customers at the Dawn Hub, the largest integrated underground storage facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Enbridge Gas Inc. is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution. For more information, visit www.enbridgegas.com or follow us on Twitter @EnbridgeGas.
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Photo: Cheque presentation to Middlesex Centre Fire Services from Enbridge Gas, Safe Community Project Assist (from left, Mayor Aina DeViet, Middlesex Centre Fire Chief Colin Toth, Ania Bialecki of Enbridge Gas, and Jamie Kovacs of the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council)
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Media Contacts
For more information, please contact:
- Heather Kepran, Municipality of Middlesex Centre, Tel: 519-666-0190 ext. 5259, Email: kepran@middlesexcentre.ca
- Kathy Ash, Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council, Tel: 1-866-379-6668 ext. 105, Email: kathy.ash@firesafetycouncil.com
- Enbridge Gas Media, Email: enbridgegasmedia@enbridgegas.com