Union Gas supports Wellington North Fire Service with $5,000 grant 'Project Assist' donation will help department upgrade crucial training

KENILWORTH, ON, Sept. 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Union Gas Utility Service Manager for Waterloo North, Steve Harrison was at the Wellington North volunteer fire department today as part of a partnership campaign between the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council and Union Gas that will provide a $5,000 credit to purchase training materials.

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

"Volunteer firefighters are integral to the safety of residents and business operations in Ontario," said Harrison. "We believe strongly that this partnership will have long-lasting benefits and will help make an 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. 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 believes strongly in the health of the communities it serves, so reaching out to support such a valuable training program is a good fit for the company.

"I am very pleased that our service has been chosen to receive this grant. This will help out our fire fighters immensely with their education and training," said Fire Chief Jeff Dahms.

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
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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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