Hiawatha First Nation Fire Services, in partnership with the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan Fire Department, purchases new equipment
March 16, 2018
Pictured above: Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Director Jamie LeBlanc, Station 4 District Fire Chief Robin Adamson, HFN Councillor Donald Paudash, HFN Chief Laurie Carr, OSM Chief Administrative Officer Eleanor Rath, Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Sr. Advisor, Community Engagement Eastern Region Public Affairs and Communications Sonia Fazari, HFN Community Consultation Workers Tom Cowie and Chris Howard, Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Herb Shields, and Fire Chief Ted Bryan.
HIAWATHA FIRST NATION, Ontario (March 16, 2018)--Hiawatha First Nation Fire Services is the proud recipient of an Enbridge Safe Community grant. The monies from this grant have been utilized to purchase equipment that will assist the fire department in enhancing the safety of firefighters, allowing them to more efficiently protect the communities of Hiawatha First Nation and Otonabee-South Monaghan.
Items purchased with this funding are:
- A Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) kit to aid in the quick rescue of a trapped or fallen firefighter in the event of a collapse or entrapment (pictured), and
- A radio repeater, to provide extended radio coverage on First Nation lands, enhancing communication between fire fighters during emergency situations.
Enbridge representatives presented the cheque to Hiawatha First Nation and the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan on March 16, 2018. (Please see picture attached.)
“It is with great pleasure and appreciation that Hiawatha First Nation and the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan Fire Services collectively accept this generous donation from Enbridge. This will allow the completion of the radio networking upgrade to a digital platform readiness, providing local portable and mobile coverage to our responding crews. In addition, we have acquired the equipment required to deploy a Rapid Intervention Team. Both these areas will provide a heightened level of safety for all our firefighters and officers”, said Fire Chief Ted Bryan.
This unique partnership for the provision of fire protection services between the communities of Hiawatha First Nation and the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan is a model supported by Enbridge. The Fire Department, with 90 staff members, serves a population of approximately 8,000 residents providing protection from fire, life-threatening emergencies and dangerous conditions through education, prevention, rescue, suppression and basic life support services.
“We are pleased to once again support the safety initiatives of the fire department in Hiawatha First Nation,” said Jeff Paetz, Director, Enbridge’s Eastern Region Operations. “The safety of the community is a priority we share with Hiawatha First Nation. The purchase of this communications equipment and Rapid Intervention Team Kit will help ensure that first responders are properly protected and equipped in an emergency, enabling them to maintain the safety and welfare of the community.”
The Enbridge Safe Community Program provides financial support to first responders and safety driven organizations so they can acquire new equipment, obtain professional training and deliver educational programs. The initiative has provided funding to organizations across North America since its inception in 2002. Through investments in partnerships and human capital, Enbridge supports organizations that contribute to the economic, environmental and social well-being of communities near its operations.
