Pandemic Plan

Sparling’s is committed to protecting the health and safety of its Employees and their families – and in doing so, protecting Customers and the general public. 

We take our responsibilities very seriously.  This means we invest in people and systems to provide reliable energy service to our Customers.

It means we work to develop practical, sustainable contingency plans.  Planning is good business.  It’s also good service.

And to you, this means “Peace of Mind”.  And its why Sparling’s has developed a Pandemic Plan.

The Pandemic Plan is the latest in a series of Sparling’s health, safety and business continuity initiatives which began in 2000 with the development of a BioSecurity Awareness Program (for drivers, technical and support personnel involved in propane supply and maintenance services to sensitive agricultural operations).

Sparling’s is Prepared

Sparling’s Workplace Safety leaders have been preparing for an influenza outbreak for years.  This Plan has been developed in consultation with a variety of workplace, technology and health experts to most-effectively manage Consumer, Public and Workplace Safety. 

In-person Awareness Sessions have been held with all Employees and information kits have been distributed to Employee families. 

H1N1

The current concern is H1N1 influenza, a potentially virulent influenza strain. It presents as a respiratory illness with symptoms similar to ordinary seasonal flu.

H1N1 can spread quickly and healthy people can become seriously ill. This is at the root of the urgency for all organizations to develop a practical response to prevention, treatment and containment.

In the Event a Pandemic is Declared

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared H1N1 a pandemic influenza virus.  In the event a Pandemic is officially declared in Canada, Sparling’s Pandemic Plan will be activated. 

Until such time, a variety of preventative measures are being taken in our workplaces and these will remain in effect until such time as health officials (i.e. Ontario, Canada, WHO) declare the risk of infection diminished.

Reliable Energy Service

Sparling’s regards all matters of Emergency Management and Business Continuity Planning as confidential.  Therefore, consistent with other such strategies, details of Sparling’s Pandemic Plan will not be published. 

It is however, important for our Customers to be aware of the 4 Service Priorities in the Sparling’s Pandemic Plan.

In the event an H1N1 Pandemic is declared, Sparling’s is prepared to maintain reliable energy service to you. 

That means we will make every effort -even under the most challenging conditions- to honour our Commitment to you.

Priority 1. Communication with Customers

Communication is essential. In real time.  In clear language.  And with real people.

Telephones will continue to be answered by men and women at Sparling’s – just like always, even following the declaration of a pandemic.

But should an H1N1 Pandemic be declared, our new telephone system enables everyone to work through the system remotely (i.e. from home).  This will ensure appropriate levels of communication should the decision be made to close offices to reduce person-to-person contact.

In addition to ongoing telephone communication, additional Direct and Specific communication with Customers is enabled via Sparling’s new HouseCalls system.  Should it be appropriate to do so, pre-recorded messages would be sent from Sparling’s to Customers to provide essential information.

General information will continue to be available at this web site.

Priority 2. Propane Delivery

On the strength of a variety of internal/workplace training and cross-training programs, Sparling’s people are prepared to provide reliable energy service to our Customers.  Propane deliveries will continue even following the declaration of a pandemic.

Sparling’s has made significant investments in workplace, mobile and remote-office (i.e. work from home) technology to ensure service continuity without the need for human contact. 

You will be advised of every propane delivery and any change in delivery by the HouseCalls system

Priority 3. Installation, 24PRO Repair and 24PRO PLUS Maintenance Services

Customer Service Coordinators will continue to schedule service requests even following the declaration of a pandemic.  Specific conditions may apply at the time.

Please be advised that for everyone’s safety, Sparling’s Plan may limit or suspend certain services in the event of a pandemic declaration.  This action may require previously scheduled services to be postponed and re-scheduled.

You will be advised of any change in the status of your service request.

Priority 4. 24 Hour Emergency Services and GASCheck®

Sparling’s will make every reasonable effort to maintain 24 Hour Emergency Services to our Customers and a state of GASCheck® compliance, even following the declaration of a pandemic. 

Depending on conditions at the time, the health emergency level or the declaration of a pandemic, Sparling’s may be forced to limit or suspend certain services.

You will be advised of any change in the status of your service request.

As always, we assure you of our utmost cooperation and encourage you to contact your Sparling’s office with any questions or concerns.

For H1N1 and government preparedness information, please contact:

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care
Public Health Agency of Canada
United States Department of Health & Human Services
World Health Organization