Members of the County of Brant Fire Department, along with representatives from Enbridge Gas Ontario and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council, gathered at Paris Fire Station #1 to announce a partnership for the Safe Community Project Zero on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.
Project Zero is a public safety program backed by Enbridge Gas that aims to bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths in Ontario down to zero through education and by distributing free alarms to local residents who are most vulnerable.
Over the past 17 years, the program has provided more than 115,000 alarms to Ontario fire departments.
This year, Enbridge Gas has made a $450,000 investment into the program, helping deliver more than 14,200 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to residents in 75 communities across the province, of which the County of Brant received 264.
When properly installed and maintained, combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can assist in providing early warning to safely escape from a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure. Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odourless gas that is created by the incomplete combustion of many types of common fuels such as gasoline, propane, natural gas, and oil.
“Carbon monoxide alarms play a vital role as a second line of defence against this invisible threat, often called ‘the silent killer,’” said Desirée Swance, a Municipal and Stakeholder Engagement Advisor with Enbridge Gas. “Proper maintenance of fuel-burning appliances is the most effective way to prevent carbon monoxide exposure. We’re proud to support our communities by raising awareness and helping Ontarians take simple, proactive steps to stay safe in their homes.”
Jamie Kovacs, Executive Director for the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council, said the donation and distribution of the alarms couldn’t have come at a better time of year.
“It’s super timely for a couple of reasons. Number one, this is the time of year where we all hide away in our houses, apartments–even in the garage where people are using propane heaters–so we’re all packed into these spaces and if there’s an issue, you want to have that early detection,” he said. “Number two, we were going into a fire code change so people are going to legally need carbon monoxide alarms on every level of their homes and near every sleeping area. You’d be surprised how many houses you go into, even big, million dollar homes, that don’t have enough alarms.”
“It’s important that people are thinking about fire safety all year round, but especially the winter,” added Swance. “People need to make sure they’re clearing snow from around the exterior of their homes so their vents aren’t covered and that their trees or anything combustible isn’t too close to the fireplace.”
Darren Watson, the County’s Fire Chief, said that having the right tools that assist in early detection, such as combination smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms, can reduce preventable loss in the community
“Having the right safety tools in place can save lives, and this contribution helps us get them where they’re needed most,” he said. “It’s a meaningful step toward reducing preventable emergencies in our community and we are so grateful.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
