29-05-2025
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.'
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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.
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