Enbridge Gas Assists Zorra Fire & Emergency Services in Supporting Firefighter Training
ZORRA TOWNSHIP, ON, January 31, 2023
Enbridge Gas Inc. (Enbridge Gas) is helping Zorra Fire & Emergency Services purchase firefighting training materials, through Safe Community Project Assist–a program with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC) that supplements existing training for Ontario volunteer and composite fire departments in the communities where Enbridge Gas operates.
“At Enbridge Gas, safety is our priority. We’re proud to support Ontario firefighters who share our commitment to keeping our communities safe, healthy and vibrant,” says Doug Chapman, Supervisor, Southwest Region Operations, Enbridge Gas.
This year’s $250,000 donation from Enbridge Gas will be shared by 50 Ontario fire departments, including Zorra Fire & Emergency Services. Funds are used to purchase educational materials to assist in training firefighters in life-saving techniques.
Since the launch of Safe Community Project Assist in 2012, 294 grants have been provided to Ontario fire departments for additional firefighter training.
“Safe Community Project Assist improves access to training materials for fire departments,” says Jon Pegg, Ontario Fire Marshal and Chair of the FMPFSC. “Firefighting can be dangerous and unpredictable, and these training materials positively contribute to the health and safety of firefighters and the broader community.”
Zorra Fire Chief Deanna Kirwin says, “I am both proud of, and excited by the passion of Zorra firefighters and their commitment to training and firefighter education to help protect the residents of Zorra Township. We are thrilled to be selected as recipients of a portion of the Safe Community Project Assist funding, allowing us to purchase necessary training materials to support the ongoing learning and advancement of knowledge and skills within our department.”
About Zorra Fire & Emergency Services The Township of Zorra is a rural municipality located in Oxford County, and is a rapidly growing community home to 8,628 residents, scattered between rural clusters, as well as two serviced towns; Thamesford and Embro. Despite the small population, Zorra township is geographically the largest municipality in the County, spanning 529 square kilometers. Across Zorra Township, there are three fire stations located in Thamesford, Embro, and Uniondale. These stations operate under volunteer work, with 62 firefighters and one full-time Township Chief. Major equipment is shared amongst the 3 stations with each having the necessary tools to formulate an effective response in their jurisdictions as a stand-alone, as well as the ability to call for more support if required from their sister stations or mutual aid partners. All firefighters in Zorra must meet training and certification standards at time of hire, in addition to diligently continuing to meet training requirements throughout their careers. Follow Zorra Fire on Twitter @ZorraFire
About the FMPFSC
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 the FMPFSC on Twitter @FMPFSC.
About Enbridge Gas
Enbridge Gas Inc., formed on January 1, 2019 from the amalgamation of Union Gas Limited and Enbridge Gas Distribution, is Canada's largest natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with a more than 170-year history of providing safe and reliable service to customers. The distribution business serves about 3.8 million customers, heating over 75 per cent of Ontario homes. The storage and transmission business offers a variety of storage and transportation services to customers at the Dawn Hub, the largest integrated underground storage facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Enbridge Gas Inc. is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution.
For more information, visit www.enbridgegas.com or follow us on Twitter @EnbridgeGas.
For more information, please contact:
Deanna Kirwin, Zorra Fire & Emergency Services
Tel: 519-485-2490
Email: dkirwin@zorra.ca
Kathy Ash, Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council
Tel: 1-866-379-6668 ext. 105
Email: kathy.ash@firesafetycouncil.com
Enbridge Gas Media
Email: enbridgegasmedia@enbridgegas.com
Photo of cheque presentation. Pictured (left to right) are: Zorra Mayor Marcus Ryan, Zorra Fire Chief Deanna Kirwin, Enbridge Field Supervisor Doug Chapman, Zorra Fire Training Officer - Uniondale Station Brian Stoeser, Zorra Deputy Mayor Katie Grigg, Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council Executive Director Jamie Kovacs and Zorra Fire Training Officer - Thamesford Station Chris Betzner
