​BALTIMORE (March 25, 2019) – Today, BGE awarded more than $272,000 in BGE Emergency Response and Safety Grants to 65 area nonprofit organizations at a ceremony held at the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department in Baltimore County. The grant recipients are located throughout the BGE service area in nine Maryland counties and Baltimore City.

"At BGE, there is nothing more important than the safety of our employees and customers, and we are grateful for the partnerships we have with organizations that share our commitment to safety," said Alexander Núñez, senior vice president of regulatory and external affairs for BGE.  "First responders risk their lives each and every day, often advancing toward danger in order to keep the rest of us safe. They play a critical role in our communities and it is our pleasure to help support them in their selfless mission."

BGE's Emergency Response and Safety Grant program, now in its seventh year, supports area nonprofits by providing strategic funding that enables the success of their emergency response and safety programs.  Some of this year's grants will assist agencies in purchasing vital equipment, such as defibrillators, ice rescue equipment ,and funding for emergency preparedness drills and active shooter training. Over the last seven  years, BGE's program has provided over $2 million to 398 nonprofit organizations who share BGE's commitment to the safety of central Maryland residents. 

The following is a list of the organizations awarded with a BGE Emergency Response and Safety Grant this year:

Anne Arundel County:

• Anne Arundel Alarmers- New Rehab Unit
• Anne Arundel County and Annapolis Community Emergency Response Team- Communications Upgrade
• Arnold Volunteer Fire Department- Emergency Vehicle Response Upgrade
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County- Emergency Preparedness
• Lake Shore Volunteer Fire Company- Handheld Carbon Monoxide Detectors
• Odenton Volunteer Fire Company- Rescue Tool Enhancement Project
• Southern Reserve Police Foundation- Reserve Officer Safety Initiative
  

Baltimore City:

• Franciscan Center- Camera Safety
• Loyola University in Maryland- Radio Sustainability Program
• Patterson Park Public Charter- Emergency Preparedness Security Door
• The Peale Center for Baltimore History and Architecture- Egress and Fire Escape Stairs

Baltimore County:

• Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department- Ice Rescue Equipment
• Baltimore County Police Foundation- Vehicle Crash Investigation Enhancement Project
• Chesapeake Search and Rescue Dog Association- Remains Detection and Disaster Training
• Chestnut Ridge Volunteer Fire Company- Hazardous Contaminants Extractor
• Cockeysville Volunteer Fire Company- Fire Hose and Appliances
• Glyndon Volunteer Fire Department- Fire Hose and Appliances
• Liberty Road Volunteer Fire Company- Protective Safety Equipment
• Long Green Volunteer Fire Company- Automated External Defibrillators
• Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company- Portable Scene Lighting Apparatus
• Maryland Line Fire Protective Association- Turn Out Gear Replacement
• Middle River Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company- Emergency Readiness Improvements
• Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company- Rescue Portable Lighting and Stop the Bleeding Training
• Rosedale Volunteer Fire Company- Positive Pressure Ventilators
• Stevenson University- Emergency Phones
• Towson University Foundation- Disaster Recovery Participation
• White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company- Hi-Visibility Safety Jackets
• Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company- Safety and Operational Readiness Improvements
  

Carroll County:

• Carroll Community College- Emergency Communication Radios
• Change Inc.- Enhancing Building Safety
• Hampstead Volunteer Fire Engine and Hose Company- Replacement of Portable Suction Units
• Humane Society of Carroll County- Animal Control
• The Carroll County Agriculture Center- AED Project
• Union Bridge Volunteer Fire Company- Active Shooter Training
• Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company- Rescue Airbag System
• Winfield Community Volunteer Fire Department- Active Assailant and Stop the Bleeding Training
  

Cecil County:

• Community Fire Company of Perryville- Gas Meter Additions
• Community Fire Company of Rising Sun- Personal Protective Equipment
• Port Deposit Heritage Corporation- Emergency Communication Funding Project
• Singerly Fire Company- CPR Devices
• Water Witch Fire Company- Rescue Tools
  

Frederick County:

• National Fallen Firefighters Foundation- Leadership Symposium
  

Harford County:

• Western Maryland K-9 Search and Rescue- Technology Improvement
• Abingdon Fire Company- Firefighter Hoods
• Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company- Ambulance Fastener System
• FBI Baltimore Citizens Academy Alumni Association- Safety and Wellness Resiliency Training
• Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company- Gas Meters
• Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company- Positive Pressure Ventilation Fans
• Level Volunteer Fire Company- Safety Camp
• Susquehanna Hose Company- Gear Washer-Extractor
• Whiteford Volunteer Fire Company- Replacement of LED Hand Lights
  

Howard County:

• Civil Air Patrol- Emergency Services Training
• Community Action Council of Howard County- Early Childhood Safety and Security Program
• Ellicott City Volunteer Firemen's Association- Safety Equipment
• Fifth District Volunteer Fire Department- Side Scanning Sonar and Underwater Metal Detector
• Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park- Park Safety for All
• Howard Ecoworks- Preparedness and Floodproofing Outreach in Ellicott City
• International Critical Incident Stress Foundation- Critical Incident and Stress Management Training
• Maryland Search and Rescue- Wilderness EMS Capability Expansion
  

Montgomery County:

• Maryland Emergency Management Association- EMS and Homeland Security Symposium
• Mid-Atlantic D.O.G.S.- Personal Protective Equipment for Handlers and Dogs
  

Prince George's County:

• Disaster Aid USA- Disaster Response Preparedness
• Laurel Volunteer Rescue Squad- Emergency Scene Lighting
• Prince George's County Fire Chiefs Community Advisory Council- Public Safety Education
  

In addition to supporting the emergency responder community in Maryland, BGE provides training for fire, police, 911 centers and emergency management organizations who routinely work around utility equipment. BGE is recognized for its own emergency response record, ranking among the top utilities in the nation for rapid response to gas emergency calls and for preventing damages to energy equipment. 

BGE works within Maryland's communities to address economic development, public safety, civic issues and contributes to strategic initiatives that help enhance our neighborhoods. Through the use of shareholder dollars, BGE supports programs that deliver measurable and sustainable impact in areas of education, environment, community development and arts and culture.

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BGE, founded in 1816 as the nation's first gas utility and headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland's largest natural gas and electric utility. The company's approximately 3,200 employees are committed to safe and reliable energy delivery to more than 1.25 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland.  In the J.D. Power 2017 and 2018 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study ^SM  BGE was ranked Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Business Electric Service in the East among Large Utilities. In addition, in the J.D. Power 2018 Gas Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study ^SM   BGE received Best in Customer Satisfaction with Business Natural Gas Service in the East. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation's leading competitive energy provider. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube  and Flickr.

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (or "BGE") received the highest score in the East Large segment of the 2018 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study and the East Region of the 2018 Gas Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study of electric and gas utility customer satisfaction among business customers. Visit jdpower.com/awards.