Five Years of Training Excellence

CONTRIBUTED BY CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES

Chesapeake Utilities recently celebrated the five-year anniversary of its Safety Town training facility in Dover, Del., underscoring its commitment to safety, education, and community partnership. The milestone event brought together employees, first responders, government officials, and community partners to reflect on the role Safety Town has played in strengthening emergency preparedness across the region.

A COMMUNITY ASSET SINCE 2020

Opened in 2020 on the company’s Energy Lane campus, Safety Town was purpose-built to provide immersive, hands-on training environments for employees, contractors, and emergency responders. The facility includes classrooms, storage space, and shed-style homes built by Polytech High School students to replicate the residential settings where Chesapeake Utilities’ teams work every day.

By simulating real-world environments, Safety Town allows participants to practice technical skills, emergency response, and safety procedures before encountering them in the field. From gas leak detection to utility line locating and confined-space safety, the training curriculum emphasizes both employee readiness and community protection.

TRAINING THAT BUILDS CONFIDENCE

In its first five years, Safety Town has hosted more than 200 employee training events and trained over 1,200 emergency response personnel, representing more than 50 fire departments, municipalities, and support organizations across Maryland and Delaware.

Sessions combine classroom instruction with hands-on practice, preparing participants for scenarios ranging from excavation safety and valve operations to CPR, AED, first aid, and OSHA certifications. The result is a stronger, more confident workforce and safer communities.

“Safety is not just a priority, it is a core value,” said Jeff Sylvester, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Chesapeake Utilities. “This facility allows us to live out that value with our partners, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and tools to respond effectively.”

PARTNERSHIP WITH FIRST RESPONDERS

Safety Town has also become a trusted training hub for regional fire, EMS, and law enforcement teams. Chesapeake has hosted hundreds of joint sessions, giving first responders the opportunity to practice response coordination alongside utility professionals. These collaborations strengthen relationships and ensure everyone is prepared to act decisively during emergencies. To further support first responders, Chesapeake presented a $10,000 charitable contribution to the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter Association during the anniversary celebration. The donation will fund scholarships through the association’s foundation.

“By providing immersive, real-world training, we are helping to equip first responders and our employees with the skills and confidence they need to act decisively in critical moments,” added Andrena Burd, assistant vice president of risk management.

LOOKING AHEAD

Safety Town’s success in Dover has inspired growth. Earlier this year, Chesapeake Utilities opened a second facility in DeBary, Fla., modeled after the Delaware site but designed with Floridian construction materials to simulate local conditions. Together, these facilities reflect Chesapeake Utilities’ long-term investment in safety and its people.

As Chesapeake Utilities continues to expand its training programs, one mission remains unchanged: to deliver energy that makes life better — safely, reliably, and responsibly — for the communities it proudly serves.