BGE Grant to Benefit Baltimore City 311 Smoke Detector Initiative

BALTIMORE, Feb. 8, 2013 – Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) <http://www.bge.com/Pages/default.aspx>  today announced it has awarded a grant to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in support of Baltimore City Fire Department’s 311 smoke detector initiative through the BGE Emergency Response and Safety Grant Program. The Baltimore City Fire Department’s 311 smoke detector initiative provides residents living within the Baltimore City limits with a free smoke detector and installation in their home. Baltimore City residents can call 311 to request a free, 10-year lithium battery-powered smoke detector. Smoke detectors for deaf or hearing-impaired individuals are also available. 

“BGE enjoys a strong relationship with the Baltimore City Fire Department, particularly given the critically important role both organizations play in ensuring the safety of our customers throughout Baltimore City,” said Kenneth W. DeFontes Jr., BGE president and chief executive officer. “Often times, BGE employees are the first to respond to calls for assistance involving our electric and natural gas systems.  With that in mind, BGE is pleased to team with the Baltimore City Fire Department with one goal in mind – to save lives. This grant helps the City of Baltimore make available critical, life-saving devices such as smoke detectors.  Joining forces is especially important as we continue to face a challenging economic environment, and  BGE, through this grant, is strengthening its already strong bonds with its emergency response colleagues.”

In late 2012, BGE launched the BGE Emergency Response and Safety grant program, an annual program designed specifically for emergency response and safety organizations. Eligible 501c3 organizations that provide emergency services support – either preparedness or response and recovery – had the opportunity to apply for a single grant of up to $10,000. Multiple grant opportunities were available and grants were considered for new and existing programs that fell within the grant description guidelines, as well as requests for funding that clearly demonstrated improvement in response efforts to the urgent and immediate needs of the community. 

In January 2013, BGE presented nearly $325,000 in grants to more than 40 emergency response and safety organizations throughout its central Maryland service area. The organizations will each use the BGE grant monies to fund equipment, programs or services that are critical to the safety of the communities in which BGE serves. 

 BGE has a long-standing commitment to enhancing the communities it serves, whether it’s through philanthropic giving or employee volunteer opportunities. The BGE Emergency Response and Safety Grant Program represents yet another means for extending that commitment to BGE customers. 

BGE’s corporate citizenship aligns with that of its parent company, Exelon Corporation. As part of Exelon’s merger in March 2012, Exelon and its subsidiaries have committed to maintain charitable giving of an average of $7 million per year in Maryland, including BGE’s service area, for the next 10 years.  

For more information on the BGE Emergency Response and Safety Grant program <http://www.bge.com/ourcommitments/community/pages/charitable-contributions.aspx> , visit bge.com <http://www.bge.com/ourcommitments/pages/default.aspx> . 

BGE <http://www.bge.com/Pages/default.aspx> , headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.2 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,400 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive energy provider, with 2012 revenues of approximately $23.5 billion. Like us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/myBGE>  and follow us on Twitter <http://twitter.com/mybge> , YouTube <http://www.youtube.com/baltimoregaselectric>   and Flickr <http://www.flickr.com/photos/mybge> .

Presents $10k to Baltimore's 311 Fire Alarm Initiative final 2.8.13.pdf