March 27, 2018 -Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, Tbaytel and the Lakehead University Thunderwolves Hockey Team again joined forces to promote fire safety with local elementary school students this winter. The fire safety lessons were taught by Thunderwolves players and Thunder Bay Fire Rescue. Sets of fire safety hockey cards featuring this year's Thunderwolves team were given to the students after each fire safety presentation. The fire safety hockey cards offer a unique way to connect with the students. This was the fifth year of the partnership between the three organizations. 

"Lakehead University Thunderwolves Hockey cannot say enough about this partnership with Tbaytel and Thunder Bay Fire Rescue.  It truly is a win win for everyone," said Lakehead Thunderwolves' Varsity Hockey Executive Director Jason Mallon. "Our fans love to receive the hockey cards and our players love to go into the schools and speak to the children about the importance of home fire safety. Tbaytel and Thunder Bay Fire Rescue continue to be fantastic community supporters and they make this program a reality."

The focus of the presentations is on the importance of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and home fire escape planning. In addition to receiving the fire safety hockey cards each student gets a special take-home assignment to work on with their families that involves testing the smoke alarms in their home and developing a home fire escape plan. 

"Tbaytel is excited to have once again teamed up with Thunder Bay Fire Rescue and Lakehead Thunderwolves Hockey to spread the message of fire prevention to local students and their families," said Tbaytel's Director of Marketing and Communication Amy Meunier. "One of Tbaytel's main priorities is ensuring that we continue to foster a culture of health and safety, both at work and at home, so this initiative serves as an excellent reminder of the importance of fire safety and fire prevention in our community."

This year the fire safety hockey card program was able to educate over 300 students in 12 classes on the importance of home fire safety. 

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Contact:     Anthony Stokaluk, Public Education Officer - Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, 625-2802, cell 631-7033 or astokaluk@thunderbay.ca