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BALTIMORE, MD (JUNE 10, 2014) —Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD) Chief Niles R. Ford joined elected officials, firefighters, and EMS providers to thank leaders in the business and philanthropic community for their role in the first stage of the Firehouse Renovation Project, an ongoing effort to improve the living conditions, health and fitness of all members of BCFD. Thanks to the generosity of the project’s sponsors, 18 firehouse kitchens and three gyms will be renovated in the next year.
“We are grateful to these civic-minded leaders for their support of the Fire Department and the men and women committed to making Baltimore a safer city,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “Through this wonderful project and their generous support, we will transform our stations and give our firefighters and EMS providers the modernized amenities they deserve in their home away from home.”
“For as long as there have been fire departments, members have gathered in firehouse kitchens to break bread, relieve stress, share knowledge, and develop strong relationships,” added Chief Ford. “With new, modern kitchens, our members will be able to prepare well-balanced and healthy meals that can sustain them during their busy days and nights of protecting and serving the citizens of Baltimore.”
The Firehouse Renovation Project was born out of a conversation between Mayor Rawlings-Blake and Ron Shapiro, attorney and business leader. Mr. Shapiro partnered with T. Rowe Price Group Chairman Brian Rogers to inspire friends and fellow business leaders to sponsor much-needed renovations to firehouse kitchens. In addition to the 18 kitchen sponsorships and as part of their continual commitment to the city of Baltimore, Under Armour will sponsor the renovation of three gym facilities in Steadman Station, Oldtown Station, and at the Fire Academy. Additionally, FX Studios, which operates the Under Armour Performance Training Center in Locust Point, offered to give all firefighters and EMS providers gym memberships.
“This project has created an important link between city business and philanthropic leaders and our brave firefighters and EMS providers,” said Mr. Shapiro. “It’s all about the business community saying thanks to those who make the lives of Baltimoreans better by putting their lives on the line.”
“The first firehouse kitchen I visited convinced me that our first responders deserve much better,” added Mr. Rogers. “It’s been an honor to help get this project done.”
“Under Armour is all about making athletes better and our city’s finest are no exception to that mission,” said Stacey Ullrich, Director, Corporate Giving, Under Armour. “We are so proud to provide Baltimore City firefighters and EMS with access to state-of-the-art gym facilities so they can maintain a healthy lifestyle and continue to do a stellar job of keeping Baltimore and its communities safe.”
“It’s a pleasure to participate in a program that not only recognizes the essential services our emergency responders provide but also improves the facilities in which they work and live,” said Horseshoe Casino Baltimore Senior Vice President and General Manager Chad Barnhill. “Anyone who lives or does business in the City of Baltimore benefits from the selfless contributions these men and women make to our community on a daily basis.”
To ensure the renovations are completed effectively and efficiently, Fire Department officials worked closely with the Mayor’s Office, the City Solicitors Office and the Department of General Services. Proposals and bids for every renovation will be presented to the Board of Estimates for approval. The project is expected to be completed by Summer 2015.
KITCHEN SPONSORS
- Alban Tractor Co., Inc. Engine 51
- Baltimore Ravens, Engine 14
- Bond Distributing Company, Engine 36
- Brown Advisory, Truck 20
- Horseshoe Casino, Engine 58
- Kelly & Associates Insurance Group, Inc. & KTBS Payroll, Engine 46
- Legg Mason Charitable Foundation, Engine 50
- Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sullivan, Engine 50
- M&T Bank, Squad 47
- MileOne Automotive, Engine 43
- Mr. Bill Miller, Truck 5
- Saint Agnes Hospital, Engine 30
- Shapiro Negotiations Institute, Engine 52
- Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sandler, P.A., Engine 52
- Stevenson University, Squad 54
- T. Rowe Price Foundation, Inc., Engine 5
- The Abell Foundation, Inc., Engine 35
- The Rogers Charitable Fund, Engine 2
- The Shapiro - Beatson Family, Engine 21
- United Way of Central Maryland, Engine 57
GYM AND PROJECT SPONSORSHIP
- Under Armour, Gyms at Steadman & Oldtown Stations, and the Fire Training Academy
- FX Studios, Lifetime Gym Memberships
- Stifel, Project Support
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