A campaign to provide Wheatley area residents with multi-functional gas alarms is underway.
Beginning Feb. 20, Chatham Fire & Rescue officials will begin distributing the free monitors door to door, starting in the town’s evacuation zone.
The units, which have a lifespan of seven years, provide continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide, propane, and natural gas.
Distribution will continue throughout the week. Residents living outside the evacuation zone can pick up a monitor at the Wheatley Resource Centre, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The centre is located at 108 Talbot Rd. E..
Chatham-Kent Fire Chief Chris Case said the “reassurance campaign” continues the municipality’s “proactive and protective measures” for the Wheatley community in an ongoing attempt to bring stability to citizens affected by releases of gas.
“We’re thankful for the provincial funding to be able to provide the people of Wheatley with practical measures to keep themselves, their families, and the community safe,” Case said in a media release.
The alarms were paid for through a $280,000 grant from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to enhance emergency preparedness in Ontario communities and prevent petroleum-related emergencies.
Residents who suspect a gas leak are asked to immediately call 911.
