BGE and the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) have finalized an agreement to utilize BGE’s Spring Gardens Facility in Baltimore as an alternate landing site for medevac helicopters transporting patients to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center / University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).

A simulated patient transport, including a test helicopter landing and emergency transport of a mannequin by private ambulance to the hospital, wass scheduled for June 30 in the 1 – 3 p.m. timeframe as a press launch.  This site has been chosen as an alternate landing zone in the event that the rooftop helipad at UMMC is unavailable, assuming such a landing would not interfere with BGE’s normal or emergency operations.

BGE supports emergency response and public safety organizations throughout BGE’s service area. In addition to this type of cooperative support and training for fire, police, 911 centers and emergency management organizations who routinely work around utility equipment, BGE also provides financial support for non-profit emergency responders. To date, the BGE Emergency Response and Safety Grants have provided nearly $1 million to 129 emergency response organizations, which share BGE’s commitment to the safety of central Maryland residents. These grants have been used to fund equipment, programs or services, such as thermal imaging cameras, rescue boat upgrades, disaster relief, K-9 safety search, rescue tools and heart defibrillators and training programs, among many others, that are critical to the safety of the communities BGE serves. 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 in working to prevent damages to energy equipment.