COLUMBUS — Two area organizations are among 13 from across the state who will share in the first public safety grant program funded by the NiSource Charitable Foundation, officials with Columbia Gas of Ohio said Tuesday.

The Richmond and Rayland volunteer departments were each selected to receive grants which will enable them to further their public safety initiatives, training and education work. The initiatives are geared toward community and youth public safety education and will provide training for first responders and police and fire departments, officials explained.

“Safety is our No. 1 priority at Columbia, and keeping our customers and communities safe requires participation from everyone,” said Bob Heidorn, president and COO of Columbia Gas of Ohio. “We are proud to support the safety-focused work of these 13 organizations through the public safety grant, which will help organizations across Ohio reduce safety incidents and promote safety education across the state.”

According to the company, Richmond will put its money toward EMT-A and EMT-B certification training, while Rayland will use its money to help with its Fire Safety Week program.

“This grant has a simple goal: To bolster safety training and education in our state,” said Stephanie Merkle, community engagement manager. “These deserving organizations share Columbia’s commitment to safety, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will make, thanks in part to the inaugural public safety grant.”

The grants ranged between $500 and $5,000 each, officials added.

Information about the grant program was shared throughout Columbia Gas of Ohio’s 61-county service area. Recipients were selected after review by a committee comprised of Columbia employees. The committee reviewed applications based on a set of criteria. Columbia Gas of Ohio’s goal for the program is to support safety initiatives and organizations that are working to improve safety throughout its service territory.