Project Zero to protect vulnerable
With carbon monoxide events on the rise, Welland Fire and Emergency Services teamed up with Enbridge Gas Distribution, the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council and community partners to prevent and reduce fire and carbon monoxide deaths through Project Zero.
Project Zero, run by Enbridge, supports fire services across the province by giving them combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to be distributed throughout the community to those who need them the most.
“We want zero deaths from fire and carbon monoxide poisoning,” said Henry Timmers, supervisor of customer safety and compliance with Enbridge.
He said Welland is one of the larger recipients of Project Zero, with 198 combination alarms donated last week.
“They’re for people in need, people who can’t afford to be protected,” he said, adding the alarms are good for 10 years.
Community partners in Welland include Community Support Services Of Niagara and Niagara Region’s Seniors Community Programs/Respite Services. The two agencies are in the homes of the city’s most vulnerable — seniors.
Cheri Della-Gatta, Meals on Wheels co-ordinator with Community Support Services of Niagara, said the agency would be reaching out to higher risk seniors in Welland to see if they are willing to have the fire service visit them and install the combo alarms if needed.
“We’re in homes all the times … our staff are aware of the surroundings and the situation of our clients,” she said.
Naomi O’Brien, manager of seniors community programs/ respite services, said the agency is also out in the community, dealing with the most vulnerable population.
O’Brien said it the partnership allows opportunities for the combination alarms to be installed in homes of those who need them and added the agency was glad it could support Project Zero.
Welland Fire Chief Brian Kennedy said the donation and partnership allows the fire service to target the people most at risk.
“We’ll work with the groups to get into homes and keep people safe,” Kennedy said.