Union Gas Helps Kapuskasing Fire Department with $5,000 grant

'Project Assist' donation will help department upgrade crucial training

KAPUSKASING, ON, Sept. 16, 2013 /CNW/ - Union Gas today, presented the Kapuskasing Fire Department with a $5,000 credit for the purchase of emergency training materials, as part of a partnership between Union Gas the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council.

The department was one of seven chosen via a random draw from all applications Union Gas received during a call out for interested departments in the company's service area.  Other recipients include the Township of Wellington North, Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, Thames Centre, Dryden, Zorra and Tillsonburg.

"Volunteer firefighters are integral to the safety of residents and business operations in Ontario," said Al Dumais, Union Gas utility service manager for Kapuskasing. "We believe strongly that this partnership will have long-lasting benefits and will help make Ontario a safer place. Safety is always top of mind at Union Gas, whether it's pipeline safety or ensuring we all do the proper things while driving. We live and breathe safety every day."

Union Gas recognizes that volunteer firefighters play an important role in keeping Ontario safe. There are 11,035 full-time firefighters in the province, but there are 19,214 volunteer firefighters. In 2011 there were over 11,500 outdoor, structure or vehicle fires with losses in Ontario. So the need for well-trained fire services members is evident.

"Having access to up-to-date training materials is crucial to firefighter health and safety," said Ted Wieclawek, Fire Marshal of Ontario, Chief of Emergency Management and Chair of the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council. "Thanks to Union Gas, Project Assist can continue to help fire service personnel get the training materials they need to handle dangerous and unpredictable situations."

Union Gas has a strong and vibrant safety culture and believes strongly in the health of the communities it serves, so reaching out to support such a valuable training program makes sense to the company.

"On behalf of the Kapuskasing Fire Department, I would like to extend a sincere thank you for your donation," said Fire Chief Gerry Demeules.  "We have a very dedicated group that spends a lot of time training and developing their skills to efficiently and effectively mitigate the emergency situations we respond to. This donation of training materials will ensure our members continue to update their skills so that we can continue to serve our community in a prompt, safe, and professional manner."

There are 183 volunteer/composite fire departments in Ontario whose communities are serviced by Union Gas.

About the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council
The Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety 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.

About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited, a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company, is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with 100 years of experience and service to customers, assets of over $5.8 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. The distribution business serves about 1.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across Ontario. Union Gas is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2011, 2012 and 2013. For more information, visit uniongas.com.

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SOURCE: Union Gas Limited

Union Gas Limited 
Andrea Stass, Manager, External Communications and Media Relations
Ph: 519 436-5490 or 1-800-571-8446 ext. 5005490
Cell: 519 365-1010
[email protected]

Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council
Carol Gravelle, Public Relations Officer/Messenger Online Editor
Office of the Fire Marshal
Ph:  [phone]
[email protected]

Kapuskasing Fire Department
Fire Chief Gerry Demeules
Ph: 705-335-4225
[email protected]