More homes in Lindsay will be equipped with life-saving smoke alarms thanks to recent fundraiser by a local business.
Firehouse Subs, an American restaurant chain founded in 1994 by former Florida firefighter brothers Chris and Robin Sorensen, opened a franchise location in Lindsay earlier this summer. The franchise partnered with Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service for the fundraiser, which ran from September 23 to 29.
According to a media release from the City of Kawartha Lakes, a total of $2,085 was raised to help the fire service equip more homes in Lindsay with smoke alarms.
During the campaign, Firehouse Subs sold 727 large subs and 631 medium subs, contributing $2 from each large sub and $1 from each medium sub to the cause. The money will directly support the fire service’s door-to-door smoke alarm program, which the fire service said is a “critical” initiative designed to increase home fire safety across the city.
Firehouse Subs Lindsay handed over the cheque on October 9 to Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service during a lunch and photo opportunity.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the generous contributions from Firehouse Subs and our community,” said Katie Dukelow, fire prevention public educator for Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service. “The funds raised will go a long way in protecting more families by ensuring their homes have working smoke alarms.”
The door-to-door smoke alarm program is an annual initiative from June to September and covers neighbourhoods throughout Kawartha Lakes. However, the Firehouse Subs fundraiser was focused on increasing the number of smoke alarms distributed in Lindsay.
In September, the City of Kawartha Lakes also participated in the Ontario-wide “Test Your Smoke Alarm Day” campaign led by Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal.
Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service chief Terry Jones asked residents to test their smoke alarms on September 28, noting a working smoke alarm provides the best chance to keep residents and their loved ones safe in the event of a fire.
In 2022, Ontario lost 133 people to deadly fires — the highest number in more than 20 years. Many fires occurred in homes where there weren’t working smoke alarms.
“In Ontario, we’ve seen a significant rise in fatal fires and the number of people we have lost in these fires is very concerning,” said Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg in a statement. “Entire families have been lost to fire and the most troubling part is that the majority of these fires did not have a working smoke alarm in the home. Had there been working smoke alarms, and a well thought out and practised home fire escape plan, these deaths may have been prevented.”
Another initiative benefiting Kawartha Lakes residents without smoke alarms is Safe Community Project Zero, an annual public education campaign delivered by Enbridge Gas in partnership with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council to promote the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in homes in Ontario communities where Enbridge operates.
Kawartha Lakes Fire Service has received 282 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through the campaign, which will provide more than 14,500 alarms to residents in 75 communities across Ontario.
This year, Enbridge Gas has invested $450,000 in the program which, over the past 16 years, has provided more than 101,000 alarms to Ontario fire departments.
“We are committed to ensuring that every home in our community is equipped with working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,” said Chief Jones in a media release. “Programs like Safe Community Project Zero are invaluable in helping us reach that goal, providing essential tools and education to protect residents from the dangers of fire and carbon monoxide.”
