Latest news with #HelpingEmergencyResponseOrganizations
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pee Dee first responders receive Duke Energy severe weather grants
FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — Florence County first responders are among several Pee Dee agencies receiving grants from Duke Energy to help with severe weather emergency preparedness. Florence County and the city of Florence Fire Department received grants totaling $20,000 and $14,000, respectively. Duke Energy is awarding $500,000 to 38 nonprofit groups and government agencies across South Carolina through its Helping Emergency Response Organizations grant program, also known as HERO. Florence County officials will use the money to pay for a utility task vehicle, or UTV, and road barricades that will help officials prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters, Duke Energy said in a news release. The city fire department will use the money to install a vehicle repeater system for communications equipment to keep lines of communication open when power outages anddamaged infrastructure disable traditional radio systems. 'Reliable communication is the backbone of effective emergency response, and during recent severe weather events, we've experienced firsthand how dangerous gaps in communication can be — for both our firefighters and the citizens we serve,' Florence Fire Chief Shannon Tanner said. 'This funding will allow us to implement a much-needed vehicle repeater system, enhancing our ability to coordinate resources, protect lives and maintain operational control when conditions are at their worst. We're grateful for Duke Energy's continued partnership and commitment to helping communities like Florence build resilience where it matters most.' Marion County is also receiving a $20,000 grant that will help fund emergency management software used to plan for and monitor evacuation activities during emergencies and track structures within a flood zone. 'The past offers us valuable insights into the outcomes of previous disasters; insights we can study, record and learn from,' said Justin Turner, the county's emergency management director. 'This knowledge empowers us to make informed, critical decisions for our communities. By learning from history and planning ahead, we equip ourselves to face the uncertainty of tomorrow's storms.' Others receiving grants include: City of Hartsville, $17,500 to help pay for a utility task vehicle, or ATV, and road barricades that will enhance the city's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters. Dillon County Emergency Services, $20,000 to buy a standby generator for use when severe weather events create multiday power outages. City of Lake City, $6,000 to buy additional handheld multiband radios so firefighters can communicate more effectively. Georgetown County, $12,000 to pay for additional radio equipment to allow the emergency operations center to communicate with state and other partner agencies when other communication systems are inoperable after a severe weather event. 'The one thing our company and communities learned in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene is you can never be too prepared for severe weather events,' said Tim Pearson, Duke Energy's South Carolina president. 'Now more than ever, we are committed to providing our fellow first responders the tools and training they need to handle whatever Mother Nature throws our way.' * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
04-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Duke Energy Offers $500,000 To Support South Carolina First Responders
GREENVILLE, S.C., April 4, 2025 /3BL/ - South Carolina government agencies and nonprofits can now apply for grants up to $20,000 to fund training, life-saving equipment and innovative technology to aid in weather-related disaster planning and recovery operations. What's happening: Duke Energy Foundation is offering $500,000 through the 2025 Helping Emergency Response Organizations (HERO) Grant Program to support severe weather emergency preparedness across the Palmetto State. Why it matters: Hurricane Helene's impact on South Carolina was historic, widespread and deadly – forever changing lives and landscapes. The storm also forced communities and their first responders to rethink how they prepare for future severe weather events. Duke Energy Foundation microgrants will help local governments and nonprofits improve their planning and responses. How it works Application process: South Carolina nonprofits and governmental agencies can apply for individual grants up to $20,000 through April 25. Eligible projects: Funding is available to support equipment upgrades, communication tools, specialized training, planning initiatives, severe weather materials and kits, storm shelters and preparedness activities that benefit low-income communities. More info and application: Go to for complete details. By the numbers What they're saying Duke Energy FoundationDuke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders. Duke Energy Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage. More information is available at and the Duke Energy News Center . Follow Duke Energy on X , LinkedIn , Instagram and Facebook , and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition. Contact: Ryan Mosier24-Hour: 800.559.3853 View original content here . Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Duke Energy Corporation
