Media Release: Enbridge Gas Assists Essex Fire and Rescue in Supporting Firefighter Training

Issued: November 8, 2021

Enbridge Gas Assists Essex Fire and Rescue in Supporting Firefighter Training

Essex - Enbridge Gas is helping Essex Fire and Rescue purchase firefighting training materials, through Safe Community Project Assist– a program with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council that supplements existing training for Ontario volunteer and composite fire departments in the communities where Enbridge operates.

“At Enbridge Gas, safety is our priority. We’re proud to support Ontario firefighters who share our commitment to keeping our communities safe,” says Steven Jelich, Director, Southwest Region Operations, Enbridge Gas.

This year’s $250,000 donation from Enbridge Gas will be shared by 50 Ontario fire departments, including Essex Fire & Rescue. Funds will be used to purchase educational materials for firefighters to enhance life-saving techniques.

Since the launch of Safe Community Project Assist in 2012, 244 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 Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council. “Firefighting can be dangerous and unpredictable, and these training materials positively contribute to the health and safety of firefighters and the broader community.”

“Essex Fire and Rescue is grateful for the contributions of the Safe Community Project Assist program. We are committed to protecting the health and safety of our firefighters and the community. The training materials funded through this program will provide further education to enhance our services,” says Richard Arnel, Fire Chief, Essex Fire and Rescue.

About Essex Fire and Rescue

The Essex Fire and Rescue Service is a paid on-call professional emergency response organization, consisting of individuals dedicated to providing a high standard of service to the community we protect. We are committed to protecting the lives and property of the residents of the municipality we serve from the ravages of fire, natural or man-made disasters, medical emergencies, the release of dangerous chemicals and/or other emergencies that may occur.

The goal of the Essex Fire and Rescue Service is to provide fire protection services and emergency response, public fire and life safety education, and fire prevention initiatives to protect the lives and property of the citizens, businesses, and visitors to the municipality of Essex.

About the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council

The Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (Council) is a registered charity established in 1993 with a mission to help create “a world where no one is hurt by fire.” The Council, chaired by the Ontario Fire Marshal, promotes fire prevention and public education through sponsorships and partnerships with various groups and individuals with an interest in public safety. Follow the Council 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.

From left to right: Fire Chief Rick Arnel, Assistant Deputy Fire Chief Jacey Brockman, Captain Mark Bosse, Firefighter Kevin Wood, Deputy Fire Chief Jason Pillon.

For more information, please contact:

Fire Chief Rick Arnel, Essex Fire and Rescue
Tel: 519-776-7132
Email: rarnel@essex.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
Tel: 1-855-884-5112
Email: enbridgegasmedia@enbridgegas.com