Safety Town Facilities in Florida and Delaware
At Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CUC), nothing is more important than the safety of our team, customers and communities. Safeguarding people and securing assets are at the heart of our operating culture. That’s a key reason why we invested more than $3M to build two state-of-the-art training facilities in DeBary, Florida, and Dover, Delaware.
Both training facilities are designed to provide an immersive, hands-on training environment for employees and contractors who build, maintain and operate our energy infrastructure. We also train first responders on natural gas usage and the equipment used to deliver it to homes and businesses.
The goal is to ensure that energy professionals and first responders are prepared for real-world scenarios pertaining to natural gas before they have to respond to them in the field.
About the Safety Town Locations
Built in 2020, the Dover Safety Town is located on our Energy Lane campus. On site, there are training classrooms, equipment storage and shed-style homes built by Polytech High School students. These structures simulate the residential settings where our employees work every day.
Modeled after Dover, the DeBary Safety Town adds specialized environments that simulate gas leaks, utility locating, leak detection and corrosion monitoring. Both centers allow training participants to practice technical skills, emergency response and safety procedures through simulation.
As a tradition at every Safety Town opening, we always give back to the local community. At Dover’s 2025 5-year anniversary celebration, the company made a charitable contribution of $10,000 to the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter Association in support of the Foundation’s scholarship fund. When the DeBary facility opened, we presented a $10,000 contribution to the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Foundation in support of their training and education programs.
Donating to charitable organizations that benefit first responders is another way we demonstrate our commitment to the community.
What Training Topics are Covered?
Safety Town offers dynamic learning experiences that combine classroom instruction with field practice.
Some of the topics covered in the safety training include:
- Natural Gas and Propane Basics
- Emergency Preparedness Training
- Tools and Equipment
- Proper Response and Staging
- Gas Detection Equipment
- Communication
- Control of Natural Gas and Propane in Emergencies
- Gas Escaping Outside
- Gas Escaping Inside
- Gas Burning Outside
- Gas Burning Inside
- Carbon Monoxide Calls
- Broken Gas Line in an Exposed Excavation
- Training Trailer Review
- Real-life Scenario Practice
As industry needs evolve, the curriculum will continue to grow, ensuring our workforce remains at the forefront of safety and technical excellence.
Why Safety Training is Important
Proactively learning about natural gas and the equipment used to deliver it is a more effective approach than training on the job during an emergency. It gives participants the ability to process the information, develop and practice skills and ask questions without the pressure of a real-time issue.
Additionally, the training program helps develop critical partnerships between energy professionals and emergency responders. It allows both sides to build rapport, better understand their roles and where they intersect.
By providing real-life training experiences, our Safety Town facilities ensure our teams are better equipped to handle emergency situations, maintain infrastructure and perform their jobs safely and efficiently.
The result is a stronger, more confident workforce and a safer community.
“Safety Town’s specialized training environments provide invaluable, hands-on preparation for our team members and local first responders.”
— JEFF SYLVESTER, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANACIAL OFFICER
Training Locations
Both Safety Town training facilities are managed by our local business units. Chesapeake Utilities oversees Safety Town in Dover, Delaware, while Florida Public Utilities manages the location in DeBary, Florida. Employees train at the centers managed by their business unit. Additionally, Florida City Gas—a sister company of CUC’s business units—has its employees train at the DeBary location.
Local first responders, contractors and community partners can train at either location.
Safety briefings can also be held at your facility. Safety Town offers a mobile training option that makes it easy and convenient for your team. Electric training is also available via our mobile safety trailer at our Florida location.
Middle school and high school groups can also schedule an educational tour of our Safety Town location in Dover.
To learn more about our Safety Town facilities or to schedule a mobile visit, please contact the safety team at [email protected] or [email protected]
500 Energy Lane
Dover, Delaware 19901
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (“Chesapeake Utilities”) is a diversified energy delivery company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “CPK” (NYSE:CPK). Chesapeake Utilities is not, nor has it ever been, affiliated with Chesapeake Energy Corporation.