The Windsor Fire and Rescue Services is taking a major step to protect local families by distributing hundreds of free, life-saving alarms. This initiative aims to prevent deaths from both fires and carbon monoxide, a dangerous gas known as the "silent killer."
A Partnership for Prevention
This vital program is made possible through Safe Community Project Zero, a public education campaign running in 75 communities across Ontario. Windsor Fire and Rescue Services has received 456 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through this project.
The program is a collaboration between Windsor Fire, Enbridge Gas, and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council. "Our shared goal is to build a safer Windsor," said Windsor Fire Chief James Waffle. He emphasized that the partnership is focused on prevention, education, and community care.
Significant Investment in Community Safety
This year, Enbridge Gas has invested $450,000 into the Safe Community Project Zero program. This funding is part of a long-standing commitment to public safety. Over the past 17 years, the program has provided more than 115,000 alarms to fire departments throughout the province.
Martha Skinner, an operations supervisor with Enbridge Gas, stated, "These help protect families and raise awareness about the importance of home safety." She added that safety is a core value for the company, guiding its engagement with the communities it serves.
The Invisible Threat of Carbon Monoxide
The campaign highlights the critical danger of carbon monoxide (CO). This gas is toxic, colourless, and odourless, making it impossible to detect without an alarm. Faulty or poorly ventilated household appliances—such as furnaces, gas stoves, water heaters, and grills—can lead to deadly CO buildup in homes.
Jamie Kovacs, the executive director for the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council, shared his personal experience as a volunteer firefighter. He has handed out free alarms while responding to actual carbon monoxide leaks. "I can’t tell people how good that feels. I’m blessed to be able to do it," Kovacs said.
He issued a challenge to every Ontario resident: "When you visit somebody, wherever you go, walk through your friend’s house, have a look at their alarms. Far too often, we see homes that are unprotected. We’re all here to help each other."
