Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) is awarding $325,000 in emergency response and safety grants to 65 nonprofit emergency response and public safety organizations in 10 Maryland counties and Baltimore City as part of its Emergency Response and Safety Grant program. BGE will hold an event in early 2016 to formally recognize all of the awardees.

BGE’s Emergency Response and Safety Grant program, now in its fourth year, is an integral part of BGE’s continued commitment to supporting safety and reliability, while also enhancing the communities it serves. It supports nonprofit emergency response and public safety organizations by providing funding that is vital to their success.

Some of this year’s grants will assist agencies in purchasing items such as thermal imaging cameras, GPS systems, smoke alarms and portable radios, and funding emergency preparedness drills and equipment. To date, BGE has provided more than $1 million to 194 emergency response organizations that share BGE’s commitment to the safety of central Maryland residents.

The following is a list of the organizations awarded with a 2015 BGE Emergency Response and Safety Grant:

Anne Arundel County

  • Arnold Volunteer Fire Department: fire prevention and education
  • Ferndale Volunteer Fire Company: rescue tool
  • Glen Burnie Volunteer Fire Department: new portable radio
  • National Fallen Firefighters Foundation: smoke alarms (Prince George’s County as well)
  • Odenton Volunteer Fire Company: station renovation
  • Orchard Beach Volunteer Fire Department: thermal imaging camera & meter
  • Southern Police Reserves Foundation: office safety and equipment

Howard County

  • International Critical Incident Stress Foundation: crisis intervention
  • West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department: fire and rescue equipment
  • Lisbon Volunteer Fire Company: High Lift Air Bag

Prince George’s County

  • Disaster Aid USA: emergency response Trailer
  • Laurel Volunteer Rescue Squad: thermal imaging camera
  • Kentland Volunteer Fire Company: gas detectors/ventilation fans

BGE encourages eligible 501(c)(3) organizations that respond to the community’s needs during emergencies to apply for grants of up to $10,000 each. Grant applications are available online at bge.com/emergencyrespondersgrant each September through the end of October. The utility presented $310,000 to last year’s 48 grant recipients. 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.