The Safe Community Project Assist is a program with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council that supplements existing training for Ontario volunteer and composite fire departments in the communities where Enbridge operates.
A $5,000 donation will allow the East Ferris volunteer department to buy additional training materials.
"I've used the money internally for our own training," Fire Chief Frank Loeffen told BayToday. "I've picked up some CD and DVD sets, some training manuals and books about hazardous materials, pump operations skill levels for firefighters that will assist with our in-house training program."
The East Ferris Fire Department operates out of two stations, located in Astorville and Corbeil, with approximately 30 volunteer members and a full-time fire chief. The primary services provided by the department are fire education, prevention, enforcement and suppression, and first response medical calls at motor vehicle accidents.
This year’s $250,000 donation from Enbridge Gas will be shared by 50 Ontario fire departments, including the East Ferris Fire Department.
“At Enbridge Gas, safety is our priority," says Luke Skaarup, Director, Northern Region Operations.
Since the launch of Safe Community Project Assist in 2012, 244 grants have been provided to Ontario fire departments for additional firefighter training.
“Safe Community Project Assist improves access to training materials for fire departments,” says Jon Pegg, Ontario Fire Marshal “Firefighting can be dangerous and unpredictable, and these training materials positively contribute to the health and safety of firefighters and the broader community.”
