Union Gas helps Ontario firefighters upgrade emergency training

$35,000 grant to 'Project Assist' for seven volunteer departments

THAMES CENTRE, ON, Sept. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Union Gas is teaming up with the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council to bring much-needed emergency training materials to seven Ontario fire departments.

Steve Baker, president of Union Gas, was at the Thames Centre volunteer fire department today to announce the $35,000 partnership, which will provide seven fire departments with a credit of $5,000 each to purchase the training materials.

The volunteer departments were chosen through a random draw of all applications received by Union Gas through a call out for interested departments in the company's service areas. They include the Township of Wellington North, Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, Thames Centre, Dryden, Kapuskasing, Zorra and Tillsonburg. There are 183 volunteer/composite fire departments in Ontario whose communities are serviced by Union Gas.

"Volunteer firefighters are integral to the safety of residents and business operations in Ontario and we believe strongly that this partnership will help make Ontario communities safer places to live and work," said Baker. "Safety is always top of mind at Union Gas, whether it's pipeline safety or ensuring we all do the proper things while driving. It's part of our culture, and we live and breathe it every day."

Volunteer firefighters play a critical role in keeping Ontario safe. Over 19,200 volunteer firefighters are on the frontlines daily, doing one of the most dangerous and challenging jobs in the province. In 2011 alone, there were 11,501 outdoor, structure or vehicle fires with losses in Ontario, which demonstrates the need for robust volunteer fire services.

A commitment to vibrant communities is a core company value of Union Gas and supporting valuable safety training programs such as Project Assist, which supplements existing training for Ontario fire departments, is one way the company demonstrates that commitment.

"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."

"The Thames Centre Fire Department is very pleased to be one of the seven fire departments who will be receiving much-needed training funds from Project Assist to help train our best to be their best," said Thames Centre Fire Chief Randy Kalan.

"Traditionally firefighters in volunteer organizations are serving smaller urban and rural areas and are faced with budgetary restrictions that sometime limit the opportunity to purchase much-needed training materials. We thank Union Gas and the Fire Marshal's Public Safety Council for their support from this wonderful partnership campaign," Kalan added.

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 over 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 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
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Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council
Carol Gravelle, Public Relations Officer/Messenger Online Editor
Office of the Fire Marshal
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