Chesapeake Utilities Celebrates Five Years of Safety Training Excellence at Safety Town

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation marked a significant milestone recently, celebrating the five-year anniversary of its innovative Safety Town training facility. This momentous event took place in Dover, Delaware, and brought together employees, first responders, government officials, and community partners, highlighting the company's commitment to safety and community collaboration.

Safety Town has been a beacon of natural gas safety education since its inauguration in 2020. Designed as a hands-on training ground, it serves as a vital resource for employees, emergency responders, utility professionals, and community members. The anniversary festivities included guided facility tours, safety demonstrations, and inspiring speeches from the company's leadership and local dignitaries, all aimed at reinforcing the importance of safety in the community.

Jeff Sylvester, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, expressed the significance of Safety Town, stating, "Safety Town represents one important part of our dedication to protecting the communities we serve. We believe that safety is not just a priority; it's a core value. This facility allows us to build on that value with our partners, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to respond effectively and safely."

Since the facility’s opening, over 1,200 emergency response personnel have been trained through more than 200 employee training events. Safety Town's impact has reached over 50 fire departments, municipalities, and support organizations within Chesapeake's service areas in Maryland and Delaware. With programs offering practical experiences, including mobile training units and certifications in various safety protocols—such as excavation, leak investigation, SCBA, CPR/AED/First Aid, confined space training, and OSHA 10-hour training—Safety Town continues to uphold Chesapeake Utilities Corporation's commitment to safety and risk management.

In addition to its training initiatives, the corporation also made a philanthropic gesture, donating $10,000 to the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter Association to support its scholarship fund. This contribution was presented at the anniversary event, further showcasing the company's dedication to community support.

Andrena Burd, the Assistant Vice President of Risk Management at Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, emphasized the facility's broader purpose, saying, "Safety Town is more than a training facility—it's a commitment to the safety and resilience of our communities. By providing immersive, real-world training, we help equip first responders and our employees with the skills and confidence they need to act decisively in critical moments."

The company also operates another Safety Town facility in DeBary, Florida. Both locations are crucial for further advancing the safety culture at Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, reinforcing its position as a leader in the industry.

For inquiries about safety training or more information on Safety Town, interested parties can reach out to Anthony Coker, Training Coordinator II, via email.

In conclusion, the anniversary celebration of Safety Town not only commemorates five years of impactful training but also reaffirms Chesapeake Utilities Corporation’s unwavering commitment to safety, education, and community collaboration. As they continue to strive for excellence in safety training, Chesapeake Utilities is setting a standard that inspires confidence and safeguards the communities they serve.