Ritchie Assists City of Ogdensburg Fire Department in Better Protecting Residents

State Senator Patty Ritchie is helping the City of Ogdensburg Fire Department to better protect residents, and themselves, during emergencies that involve natural gas leak concerns.

Senator Ritchie provided a $6,000 grant for the department to purchase two Gasurveyor Gas Meters, which are used to detect a potential natural gas leak inside and outside of homes and businesses.

“Natural gas leaks can present deadly danger to those inside a home or building, as well as to firefighters responding to these situations,” said Senator Ritchie. “Through this new equipment, members of the City of Ogdensburg fire department, as well as those who they serve, will be better protected from the dangers of gas leaks. I am pleased to have made the purchase of this new equipment possible, and thank all of our local emergency responders for the critically important work they do to keep our communities safe.”

“When working correctly, natural gas is perfectly safe in a home. However, if a leak were to occur, it can be extremely dangerous.  Not only is natural gas highly flammable, it has the possibility of exploding,” City of Ogdensburg Fire Chief Mike Farrell said. "By providing us the funding for these natural gas detectors, Senator Ritchie is ensuring our firefighters know what they are walking into when called upon. It allows them to take the proper precautions and better ensure their safety and ability to go back home to their families after their work day is over."

When called to a potential natural gas leak, the City of Ogdensburg Fire Department also works with a local company, Enbridge St. Lawrence Gas, to ensure the detectors are properly calibrated and to give the department help with readings when entering a potentially hazardous situation. The company also provides the department with annual training.

(In the above picture, Senator Ritchie is seen at the Ogdensburg Fire Department with (from left to right): Assistant Fire Chief Don McCarthy, Firefighter Blair Roethel, Firefighter Aaron Charlton, Firefighter Tim Stevenson, Firefighter Scott McCormick, Senator Ritchie, Fire Chief Mike Farrell and Firefighter Randy Petell)