A local Indigenous community is one of a little more than a dozen Ontario First Nations communities being given an opportunity to enhance safety and emergency preparedness.
Enbridge Gas Ontario is helping 13 Indigenous fire departments in Ontario enhance community safety, emergency preparedness and public education through its Safe Community Project Zero and Safe Community Project Assist programs.
Led by Enbridge Gas Ontario in partnership with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council, Safe Community Project Zero is a public education initiative that provides free combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to help eliminate fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths.
Local fire departments distribute the 522 alarms available this year through community outreach initiatives, door-to-door campaigns and public safety events.
The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte is one of seven Indigenous community fire departments to receive alarms, which will be distributed based on the approximate population served by each local fire department.
The 2026 program recipients were announced on Tuesday at the Indigenous Partnership Summit in Toronto, hosted by the Toronto Region Board of Trade.
Through Safe Community Project Assist, Enbridge Gas Ontario provides grants to fire departments to purchase training materials and public education resources to support community outreach and fire prevention efforts.
Fire departments serving six Indigenous communities will each receive a $5,000 grant this year.
In a media release from Enbridge Gas, MBQ Chief R. Don Maracle stated the safety and well-being of Mohawk people, families and future generations is a responsibility everyone shares.
“The smoke and carbon monoxide alarms provided through Safe Community Project Zero will help protect more homes and support our ongoing efforts to keep community members safe and prepared,” he stated.
“We value partnerships that work alongside Indigenous communities, respect our priorities and help strengthen the services that support our people.”
The 2026 Safe Community Project Zero recipient communities are:
Rama First Nation
Chippewas of the Thames First Nation
Couchiching First Nation
Garden River First Nation
Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte
Rainy River First Nation
Six Nations of the Grand River
The 2026 Safe Community Project Assist recipient fire departments are:
Saugeen First Nation
Kettle and Stony Point First Nation
Walpole Island First Nation
Constance Lake First Nation
Mississauga First Nation
Thessalon First Nation
