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$500,000 grant goes toward state’s first responders during upcoming hurricane season

 

LANDRUM––Duke Energy is supporting South Carolina first responders with more than a $500,000 grant to support emergency preparation. Landrum area Fire and Rescue teams have received a $20,000 grant to purchase new radio communication tools.

Duke Energy states that with hurricane season around the corner, they are giving a $500,000 grant to the state’s first responders to help prepare for and recover from the devastation caused by severe tropical weather.

Duke Energy’s South Carolina state president, Mike Callahan, says that helping the communities affected by severe tropical weather takes significant resources.

“These grants will help give our fellow first responders the tools and training they need to tackle whatever Mother Nature throws our way,” Callahan says.

Fire Chief Warren Ashmore at Landrum Fire Department says that, typically, the crew has to carry two pagers and three radios in order to reach multiple channels when they’re on call. The Duke Energy grant has allowed Landrum Fire Department to order four dual-band radios that will provide better communication with other districts.

Chief Ashmore says, “It’ll increase our community operability with our local jurisdictions and communications.” The radios will keep the crew from having to carry extra weight, as well.

The radios, he says, have been ordered and are expected to arrive within a month.