Union Gas supports public safety program in Sarnia

$2,000 grant to Fire Rescue Services for carbon monoxide safety & awareness program

SARNIA, ON, Oct. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - Union Gas is helping Sarnia Fire Rescue Services improve public safety by supporting their carbon monoxide safety and awareness program, courtesy of a $2,000 grant awarded today.

Bob McNamara, Union Gas utility services manager for Sarnia North presented the cheque to Sarnia Fire Rescue Services Deputy Fire Chief Bryan VanGaver today at the East Street Fire Station in Sarnia.

"As a company, our focus on safety doesn't end with the workday. We believe in investing in programs that will help make our communities safer 24/7," said McNamara. "That's why we make it a priority to support important safety programs like this one, which is helping make Sarnia a safer community."

"With this grant from Union Gas, we have been able to purchase a new banner display that we can set up anywhere to help spread the message of the importance of fire safety and carbon monoxide detection," said VanGaver.

Sarnia Fire Rescue Services Public Education Officer brings a fire safety message to about 6,000 people a year including church groups, elementary and high school students, seniors, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, Cubs, and Beavers. Through the Fire Safety Trailer children learn how to plan their escape from a house by crawling under smoke or going out the window and gathering at their designated meeting place. This reinforces the importance of having two ways to get out and a meeting place, in addition to the importance of having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Over the past 100 years, Union Gas has been privileged to work in more than 400 Ontario communities. In addition to natural gas delivery services for homes and businesses, Union Gas has contributed to the province through significant economic investments, hundreds of jobs, millions in municipal taxes, energy efficiency programs, thousands of volunteer hours for community organizations, major charitable giving and sponsorships. Last year alone, Union Gas contributed about $3 million to charitable organizations across the province, including environmental programs and projects. For more information visit uniongas.com/community.

About Sarnia Fire Rescue Services
The Sarnia Fire Rescue Services (SFRS) consists of 131 professionals who serve the residents of the City of Sarnia by providing fire prevention, public education and fire suppression services.  SFRS operate out of five stations covering an area of 65 square miles (168 square kilometres) and over 72,000 residents.  SFRA believe that it is our duty to educate residents on means for them to fulfill their responsibilities for their own fire safety.  This is the best way to reduce the incidence of fire. Residents must be educated to take responsibility for their own fire 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 or find us on Twitter: twitter.com/uniongas, Facebook: facebook.com/uniongas and YouTube: youtube.com/user/uniongas.

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]

Sarnia Fire Rescue Services
Bryan VanGaver 
Deputy Fire Chief
Ph:  519 992-1122 ext. 4301
[email protected]