A new awards program will honor first responders, public safety professionals and volunteers who protect the people of Bowie.

Nominations are due by March 1 for the Bowie Public Safety Appreciation Awards, sponsored by the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce and the public safety committee of the city of Bowie. Winners will be honored at a luncheon on March 30 at the Comfort Inn and Conference Center. The sponsors plan to hold the event annually.

According to the release, the criteria for the awards are as follows:

Nominations must be for performance of duties within Bowie by first responder public safety professionals, including sworn law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services personnel. The nominee’s public safety agency does not have to be headquartered in Bowie but the performance of duties must have been within Bowie.

Nominations must be for performance of duties in a manner that was extraordinary. This can include superior sustained performance or a meritorious act during a single event.

The performance being cited should be recent.

A full description of the nominee’s performance must be included to allow the committee to make a reasonable evaluation of the nomination. The name and contact information of the person nominating must be included in order to allow for follow up.

The committee would also be interested to learn about extraordinary acts or performance in the interest of public safety in Bowie by private citizens.

Nominations must be received by the committee by March 1, 2012. They may be made by email to kelly@bowiechamber.org or by postal mail to 1525 Pointer Ridge Place, Suite 302, Bowie, MD 20716.

For more information about the luncheon on March 30, see the attached PDF or call the chamber at 301-262-0920. Cost is $40 per person and $25 for active duty public safety officers.