Project Zero - Central York Fire Services

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Project Zero

CYFS, Enbridge Gas Distribution and the Fire Marshal's

Public Fire Safety Council partner to save lives

Project Zero launches in Newmarket

Newmarket, July 14, 2011 - Enbridge Gas Distribution, the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council and Central York Fire Services will work together to deliver more than 225 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to homes in Newmarket through Project Zero.

"It is essential for every home in Ontario to have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. These life saving devices alert occupants to the presence of smoke or deadly carbon monoxide gas, giving them time to get out safely," said Fire Marshal Ted Wieclawek. "We are delighted to be a partner in this life saving initiative."

"Last year in Ontario, 84 people died as a result of fires in Ontario and 75 of those deaths resulted from residential fires," says Central York Fire Services Fire Chief Ian Laing. "Our goal is to protect the safety of our residents by ensuring every home in Newmarket has a functioning smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector on each level. Enbridge's generous contribution is helping us get closer to meeting our goal."

"At Enbridge, safety is an ongoing priority and as part of our Safe Community program, we are proud to help bring Project Zero to the Town of Newmarket," said Phil Mannell, General Manager, Enbridge Gas Distribution. "Reminding customers about the importance of properly maintaining fuel-burning equipment and installing a carbon monoxide alarm is part of our efforts to promote natural gas safety."

In Ontario, it is the law that every home must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. While carbon monoxide alarms are not currently legislated in Ontario, they are highly recommended by the Ontario Fire Marshal. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, when properly installed and maintained, help provide the early warning that is needed to safely escape from a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure.

Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odourless gas that is a by-product of incomplete combustion of many types of common fuels. It is important that all fuel-burning equipment be properly maintained to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Carbon monoxide alarms are recommended as a second line of defense to protect against the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Project Zero is a public education program aimed at reducing residential fire and carbon monoxide deaths to zero. Enbridge Gas Distribution supported the inaugural launch in Toronto in 2009 and helped expand the program to nine Ontario communities in 2010. This year's $100,000 donation will allow for the expansion of Project Zero to an additional 11 Ontario communities, including Newmarket.

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 and supported by the Office of the Fire Marshal, operates at arm's length from the government and promotes fire prevention and public education through sponsorships and partnerships with various groups and individuals with an interest in public safety.

Central York Fire Services serves the Town of Newmarket and Aurora and operates under the direction of a six-member Joint Council Committee made up of three members from each of the Town Councils. The Joint Council Committee provides and administers a borderless, single tier of fire protection and prevention services throughout both towns in accordance with the Consolidated Fire Services Agreement and the Fire Protection and Prevention Act. Visit www.cyfs.ca for more information.

About Enbridge

Enbridge delivers more than the energy people count on; we deliver on our promise to help make communities better places to live.

Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. It is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution and one of the 2010 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Enbridge Inc. has been selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2011 and is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. Enbridge Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to about 1.9 million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New York State and New Brunswick. For more information visit www.enbridgegas.com.

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For more information, please contact:

Debbie Forrest, Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council

Tel: (613) 498-6247 ext. 100

Email: debbie.forrest@firesafetycouncil.com

Amber Harrison

Senior Communications Specialist, Town of Newmarket

Phone: 905-953-5300 ext. 2046

Email: aharrison@newmarket.ca

Ben Hamilton, Enbridge Gas Distribution

Tel: (416) 495-5077

Email: ben.hamilton@enbridge.com