Florence Fire Department to receive $20,000 grant by Duke Energy Foundation

Florence, South Carolina – With the onset of hurricane season, emergency teams and first responders are vigilantly monitoring the tropics, gearing up to shield their communities from potential severe weather impacts. Similarly, Duke Energy is stepping up, backing these communities throughout South Carolina by offering $500,000 in microgrants via the Duke Energy Foundation. This funding aims to bolster community resilience and enhance the local capacity to support residents both in preparing for and recovering from major weather-related disasters.

“Preparing communities to respond to severe weather impacts begins in our neighborhoods and communities,” said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president. “Providing our fellow first responders with the tools and training to handle whatever Mother Nature throws our way is necessary in maintaining a resilient and prosperous South Carolina.”

The Duke Energy Emergency Preparedness and Storm Resiliency Grant Program is tailored to aid organizations involved in emergency management. It focuses on strengthening their readiness through thorough preparation, strategic planning, and the provision of essential equipment and training. Organizations could apply for grants of up to $20,000, with 33 nonprofits and governmental bodies throughout the state receiving funding.

“Cherokee County Emergency Management would like to thank the Duke Energy Foundation for awarding Cherokee County this year’s grant. This grant will double our sheltering capabilities adding 100 cots and the necessities along with 10 special-needs cots, helping those in need when they need it the most. The grant will also allow us to purchase a pet sheltering kit so we can start to address those needs as well.” – said Douglas Bowers, Director of Emergency Management at Cherokee County.

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“We appreciate Duke Energy’s assistance with providing funding for equipment to help the City of Clemson communicate information to our community, especially during power loss and challenging circumstances.” – said Jorge Campos, Chief of Police at City of Clemson.

Who is getting what

The Duke Energy Foundation is awarding $500,000 in grants to 33 organizations in South Carolina dedicated to promoting resiliency and emergency preparedness as it relates to severe weather.

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This is the full list of recipients:

1. The S.C. Medical Services Foundation will receive a grant to support Ready Op, a software application that addresses communication weaknesses identified through a previous gap analysis. This initiative is statewide and has been awarded $20,000.
2. The American Red Cross will use the grant to assist in the expansion of the “Be Ready” community disaster preparedness program. This project is statewide and has been allocated $20,000.
3. The City of Charleston will utilize the funding to purchase a multiple event response trailer (M.E.R.T.) to aid in severe weather preparedness and emergency response resources. The project is located in Charleston and has been granted $20,000.
4. The Town of Cheraw will use the project funding to purchase inflatable swift water rescue boats and equipment. This project in Chesterfield has been awarded $20,000.
5. The S.C. Baptist Convention Disaster Relief – Pee Dee will use the grant money to support the creation of a mobile feeding unit that will accompany the organization’s existing chainsaw, shower, and laundry units. The project in Chesterfield has been granted $20,000.
6. Edgefield County Emergency Management will use the grant money to purchase mobile light towers to enhance public safety during severe weather response. The project in Edgefield has been awarded $14,000.
7. The Darlington County Sheriff will use the grant funds to establish a mobile command center. The project in Darlington has been allocated $20,000.
8. Marlboro County will use the grant to aid in the purchase of an unmanned aircraft/drone and the training for an operator. The project in Marlboro has been awarded $19,500.
9. The South Spartanburg Fire District will use the funds to enable first responders to obtain personal protective equipment for storm and general water-related emergencies. The project in Spartanburg has been granted $10,000.
10. Clear Spring Fire and Rescue will use the project funds to contribute to the addition of more mobile radios to outfit growing needs and enhance weather-related responses. The project in Greenville has been awarded $10,000.
11. Greenville County Emergency Management will use the grant to provide a 3-year subscription to “Baron Threat Net” – a web-based system that allows access to precision weather data for critical weather intelligence. The project in Greenville has been allocated $15,000.
12. The Landrum Area Fire Department will use the grant funding to provide the fire department a commercial grade drone designated for public safety usage. The project in Greenville has been awarded $17,000.
13. The Travelers Rest Police will use the funding to enhance weather-related responses with personal protective equipment. The project in Greenville has been granted $10,000.
14. The North Spartanburg Firefighters’ Foundation will use the project funding to equip water and rescue team boats with portable radios. The project in Spartanburg has been awarded $10,000.
15. Marion County will use the grant funds to aid in the purchase of a battery-operated light tower. The project in Marion has been allocated $20,000.
16. The City of Florence Fire Department will use the project funds to assist in protecting the city by purchasing specialized equipment used to help block flooded roadways and areas with storm damage. The project in Florence has been awarded $20,000.
17. The City of Manning will use the funding to provide barricades, cones, chainsaws, flashlights, and portable radios for police and fire departments in the event of a hurricane evacuation. The project in Clarendon has been allocated $15,000.
18. The City of Sumter will use the grant to help place advanced weather stations around the city and county and assist the Public Service Department in making informed decisions. The project in Sumter has been awarded $17,000.
19. Williamsburg County Emergency Management will use the funding to purchase GIS data equipment and software to aid in disaster relief efforts, in coordination with the county’s hazard mitigation plan. The project in Williamsburg has been granted $16,000.
20. The Lugoff Fire Department will use the grant money to purchase water rescue dry suits, helmets, gear, and gear storage bags for the Lugoff Fire Water Rescue Team. The project in Kershaw has been awarded $6,000.
21. The Lee County Fire Department will use the funds to purchase an aluminum boat and trailer for response to flood-prone areas. The project in Lee has been allocated $20,000.
22. The Hodges-Cokesbury Fire Department and Rescue Inc. will use the grant to buy a new fire/EMS skid unit to rescue, evacuate, and transport injured people to medical attention during severe weather events. The project in Greenwood has been granted $9,000.
23. Greenwood County will use the project funds to provide essential equipment, including chainsaws and protective gear, when responding to the effects of storms. The project in Greenwood has been awarded $15,000.
24. Oconee County will use the grant to purchase inflatable rafts and swift water rescue equipment for emergency responders. The project in Oconee has been allocated $20,000.
25. The City of Clemson will use the funding to purchase a portable message board for evacuations related to high water or storms. The project in Pickens has been granted $19,000.
26. Anderson County will use the project funds to provide portable radios to critical need personnel. The project in Anderson has been awarded $20,000.
27. Abbeville County Emergency Management will use the funds to provide an E-911 battery backup system to aid in emergency situations. The project in Abbeville has been allocated $5,000.
28. The City of Walhalla will use the grant to buy chainsaws, backpack blowers, hooks, and chains for the response to post-severe weather. The project in Oconee has been granted $2,000.
29. The City of Lancaster Police Department will use the grant money to purchase a drone equipped with thermal optics. The project in Lancaster has been awarded $15,500.
30. Cherokee County Emergency Management will use the project funds to contribute to the expansion of the county’s shelter capacity to include special needs cots and pet emergency crates. The project in Cherokee has been granted $20,000.
31. Chester County Government will use the grant money to assist in the improvement of communications with the purchase of radios and battery charging stations. The project in Chester has been allocated $10,000.
32. The City of Tega Cay will use the grant to purchase an emergency evacuation message board. The project in York has been awarded $20,000.
33. The Town of Kershaw will use the funds to provide storm clearing equipment, including chainsaws and lighting. The project in Lancaster has been granted $5,000.