McNaughtons receive fire award for ‘commitment to life safety’

Tara and Ian McNaughton received a “Life Safety” award in Toronto today. Joining them, left, was Robert King, Gravenhurst Fire Prevention Officer, Gravenhurst Fire Chief Larry Brassard and Ross Nichols Ontario Fire Marshal.

GRAVENHURST — Small towns wouldn’t be as safe as they are without the help of volunteer firefighters and community donors.

Ian McNaughton should be the poster boy in that case.

The volunteer firefighter and his wife, Tara, are owners of the Gravenhurst Home Hardware franchise in Gravenhurst.

His face — and shaved head — on corporate TV commercials supporting hockey have made him well-known.

But behind the scenes, he and his wife do a lot more for the community.

Recently they bought the Stedman’s V&S department store.

And now 80 more homeowners are in their debt thanks to “their commitment to life safety.”

This morning, the two business owners were honoured in Toronto in an awards ceremony presided over by Ontario Fire Marshal Ross Nichols.

The McNaughtons were among several provincial award recipients presented with the Fire Safety Award by the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council, in a ceremony held at the Holiday Inn, Yorkville.

“The awards are an expression of appreciation for those who have made significant contributions towards making Ontario a safer place in which to live,” said Nichols.

The McNaughtons were nominated for the award after helping the Gravenhurst Fire Department expand their carbon monoxide awareness and prevention programming, by partnering with the Nolan Young Memorial Fund, which provided free carbon monoxide alarms and educational material to the department.

“Since Gravenhurst Home Hardware stepped up, we’ve distributed about 80 carbon monoxide alarms to residents of Gravenhurst at no charge,” said Larry Brassard, Fire Chief.

“Ian and Tara live in our community and support a variety of community initiatives, and so it’s about time that we said thanks to both of them in a tangible way.”

“We certainly didn’t expect this recognition, and are thankful for it, but we really just want to make sure Gravenhurst families have the opportunity to be protected from dangerous situations. Every family deserves to be safe in their home,” said Ian McNaughton.

For information about carbon monoxide and how to protect your family, please see www.COSafety.ca

Robert King, Gravenhurst Fire Prevention Officer, N/A, Tara and Ian McNaughton, Chief Larry Brassard, Ross Nichols, Ontario Fire Marshal.