Headlines News
Union Gas helps departments buy training materials

Sept. 5, 2013, Toronto – Union Gas and the Ontario Fire Marshal's Public
Fire Safety Council have donated $35,000 to seven volunteer fire
departments within Union Gas' service areas for training programs or
materials.

Union Gas’ partnership with the Public Fire Safety Council, titled Project Assist, promotes fire prevention and public education through sponsorships and partnerships with groups and individuals with an interest in public safety. The departments were chosen by a random draw from all applications received by Union Gas.

The winning departments are 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.

Thames Centre Chief Randy Kalan said his department will use the $5,000 to provide training courses for volunteers.

"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,” Kalan said.

Ontario Fire Marshal Ted Wieclawek, who chairs the Public Fire Safety Council, said, "Having access to up-to-date training materials is crucial to firefighter health and safety.

"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."