London Hydro to Receive Fire Safety Award

TORONTO, June 16, 2014 /CNW/ - London Hydro will receive a Fire Safety Award from the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council at a ceremony on June 19, 2014 in Toronto. The annual Fire Safety Awards recognize outstanding contributions to fire protection and prevention in Ontario.

London Hydro and the Ontario Power Authority jointly manage the Home Assistance Program to help Ontario residents make their homes more energy efficient and comfortable. The program focuses on assisting less fortunate individuals and families in the community by providing free and safer appliances and, in some cases, rewiring electrical services.

Two years ago, Hans Schreff, Manager of Conservation with London Hydro contacted the London Fire Department to propose including a fire safety assessment as part of the Home Assistance Program.  The fire department was happy to participate in this venture by training the assessors in basic fire safety education, including installing and maintaining smoke alarms. The fire department also provided smoke alarms and batteries, as well as fire safety pamphlets and materials.

In 2013, London Hydro assessed 1,000 homes in the City. It was discovered that more than 77 per cent of those homes were not adequately protected by working smoke alarms. As a result, the Home Assistance teams installed about 200 smoke alarms and 1,700 batteries.

"London's Home Assistance Program is an excellent example of two customer-focused organizations joining forces to enhance safety and quality of life in the community," said Ted Wieclawek, Chair, Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council.

The Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors in this event: TD Bank Group, Toronto Blue Jays, Union Gas Limited/ A Spectra Energy Company, Technical Standards & Safety Authority - TSSA, Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. Proctor & Gamble Inc., Electrical Safety Authority, CSA Group, The Co-operators Group, Kidde Canada Inc., Roxul Inc. and The Home Depot.

SOURCE: Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council

Carol Gravelle, Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management, [phone] [email protected]