More than 200 smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are being distributed as part of Safe Community Project Zero.
Belleville Fire and Emergency Services have partnered with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council and Enbridge Gas to distribute 210 smoke detectors to two local groups.
Belleville City Councillor Bill Sandison applauds the annual campaign.
“And this year our fire group has selected the Quinte and Belleville Probus groups. So it’s a great program and you know, anything we can do to improve safety in the community and educate the community it’s all good.”
Probus Clubs are social clubs for retired or semi-retired women and men.
Belleville Fire Safety Prevention Officer Jason Williams tells Quinte News several recent fatal fire incidents across North America show the importance of working alarms.
“Many of these fires, working smoke alarms are not present. Working smoke alarms do save lives and we thought it was extremely important to team up with these clubs so we can promote public fire safety in our community.”
Williams also stresses the importance of carbon monoxide detectors noting that with this week’s snowstorm, the fire department has responded to several calls.
“The fact that the venting for the heating systems is being backed up from an accumulation of snow. So we’d ask members of the community not only to make sure we clear those exhaust pipes, but also take some time to actually clear a nice four-foot section around any hydrants that are either on or near your property as well, so we can give our crews those valuable seconds in case of an emergency.”
Over the past 13 years, Enbridge Gas has provided more than 68,000 alarms to Ontario fire departments.
