THUNDER BAY — Thunder Bay Fire Rescue responds to over 200 carbon monoxide calls a year.
It's one reason the department continues to try to educate the public about the importance of maintaining working alarms.
This year, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue received 318 combination smoke and CO alarms through Safe Community Project Zero, a public education campaign providing nearly 17,000 alarms to residents of 70 communities across Ontario.
TBFR will provide an alarm to residents who can't afford one, and will even install it if they encounter a situation where someone needs assistance.
The project is a collaboration with the Ontario Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council and Enbridge Gas.
"We are grateful for the support from the Fire Safety Council and Enbridge," said Thunder Bay Fire Chief Greg Hankkio. "We have the ability to provide combination alarms to citizens of Thunder Bay who might not otherwise have them."
Enbridge Gas invested $500,000 in the project this year.
Over the past 13 years, more than 68,000 alarms have been distributed through Ontario fire departments.
"Carbon monoxide is known as the 'silent killer' for a reason," said Luke Skaarup, director of northern region operations for Enbridge. "We know that the best way to avoid CO exposure is to eliminate it at the source by properly maintaining fuel-burning equipment, and that alarms are a critical second line of defence to protect against CO poisoning."
Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg, who chairs the Fire Safety Council, noted that the law requires all homes to have a CO alarm if they have a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage.
