RESIDENTS HONOURED FOR FIGHTING GROW-OPS

Two Niagara residents have been singled out by the Ontario Fire
Marshal for their efforts to stamp out illegal marijuana growing
operations in Niagara, which officials say pose a potentially deadly threat.

Joe Adams of St. Catharines and Leo Mercier of Niagara Falls were
both presented with a Fire Safety Advocate Award from Fire Marshal
Patrick Burke for their grow-op work. Burke, former fire chief for
Niagara Falls, made fighting grow-ops a high priority in his time as
fire chief.

Adams is a senior inspector with the Technical Standards and Safety
Authority (TSSA). He has been instrumental in helping the Niagara
Falls Fire Department to close down marijuana grow operations, and
has spent long hours in Provincial Offences Court as an expert
witness in numerous trials held in Niagara Falls since 2005, the Fire
Marshal's office said.

As a result of his extensive technical knowledge, Adams' testimony in
court, on at least a dozen of occasions has been used to support
charges relating to the alteration of heating and ventilation systems
in the homes and buildings where marijuana grow operations have been
discovered, the Fire Marshal said.

Illegal grow-ops often bypass hydro conduits because of the large
amount of hydro the grow-up lights require, and can involve
ham-handed wiring and alteration of furnace vents. Those alterations
pose a dire threat of fire and electrocution, officials say.

Adams has helped train Niagara firefighters and Niagara Regional
Police on identifying and reducing those shock and fire hazards.

"Joe has been a driving force behind the eradication of marijuana
grow operations in the Niagara region," said Burke. "His professional
opinion and evidence offered in court has helped the Niagara Falls
fire department spend less time in long and complicated trials."

Mercier is an inspector with the Electrical Safety Authority. He has
been deemed an expert witness on the electrical hazards associated
with marijuana grow operations. Since 2005, he has provided testimony
in Provincial Offences Court to support charges related to electrical
wiring in grow-ops.

He also helps train firefighters and city workers to reduce the risks
associated with grow-ops for emergency officials and the public.

"Leo's expert testimony in court has certainly made a difference in
the outcome of trials involving marihuana grow operations," said
Burke. "His contributions will continue to have a significant impact
on fire safety in the Niagara region."

Fire departments throughout the province nominated individuals and
organizations for this year's awards; 17 recipients were selected.
Ontario Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Rick
Bartolucci and Burke presented the awards June 25 in Toronto.