Champlain Township, November 28, 2025 – At yesterday's Council meeting, Enbridge Gas Ontario (Enbridge Gas), and the Champlain Fire and Emergency Services announced they are working together to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.
The Champlain Fire and Emergency Services received 144 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, odorless 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 killer’,” says Anik Benoit, Advisor, Municipal & Stakeholder Affairs, 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.”
“As a firefighter, our number one goal is to prevent tragedies before they happen.” Says Ghislain Pigeon, Director of Fire Services. “These 144 new smoke and carbon monoxide alarms will make a real difference in protecting the people we serve. Thanks to the support of Enbridge and the Safe Community Project Zero initiative, we can reach more homes, raise awareness, and help ensure every family has the tools they need to stay safe from fire and the silent threat of carbon monoxide”.
The Champlain Fire and Emergency Services consist of two rural fire stations located in Vankleek Hill and L’Orignal. The department is made up of 50 dedicated volunteer Firefighters that provide fire suppression, code enforcement, and public education for Champlain’s residents, businesses and visitors.
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 FMPFSC on X
@FMPFSC.
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For more information, please contact:
Ghislain Pigeon, Champlain Fire and Emergency Services Tel: 613-678-3003
Email: ghislain.pigeon@champlain.ca
Maureen Belej, Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council Tel: 1-866-379-6668 ext. 4
Email: maureen.belej@firesafetycouncil.com
Enbridge Gas Media
Email: enbridgegasmedia@enbridge.com