Albany Fire Department receives $5,000 donation

ALBANY — The Albany Fire Department received a $5,000 donation from Exelon Generation Thursday morning to allow the AFD to help provide smoke detectors to families in need.

“The Albany Fire Department greatly appreciates the generosity of Exelon,” Interim Fire Chief Sebon Burns said. “This donation will help keep more citizens safe and promote (the) best practices in fire safety for our community. Exelon’s contribution will help save lives.”

Officials said the fire department is also planning to use the donation to create special campaigns and programs focusing on distributing smoke detectors and fire safety literature to residents.

Burns went on to say that about a month-and-a-half ago, the AFD responded to a building fire at a Procter & Gamble plant built in part by an Exelon subsidiary.

“Exelon appreciated how quickly we responded and took care of the fire that they reached out to donate $2,500,” he said.

Officials said that, after Exelon found out the station wanted to use to money to buy fire alarms for people and put more money into the fire safety program, the company doubled its donation.

“The Albany Fire Department is important to the safety of residents and local business owners in the community,” Exelon Generation South/West Region Vice President Gerome Randle said. “When I learned more about the launch of the smoke detector program, it was easy for the Albany Green Energy Biomass facility to get involved.

“The department’s commitment to safety and the community aligns with Exelon’s core values. I’m very proud to be a part of the launch and the safety of the community in which we serve.”