Duke Energy Boosts SC Community Resilience with $500K Emergency Preparedness Grants


06/25/2024


As hurricane season kicks off, emergency managers and first responders focus on the tropics while continuing to ready their communities for the potential impacts of severe weather. Duke Energy is also preparing by announcing $500,000 in microgrants through the Duke Energy Foundation to support these South Carolina communities. These funds aim to enhance community resilience and improve local capabilities to prepare for and recover from significant weather events.
 
“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.”
 
Duke Energy’s Emergency Preparedness and Storm Resiliency Grant Program is designed to help organizations involved in emergency preparedness boost their resilience through advanced preparation, planning, equipment, and training. Applicants could request up to $20,000, and grants were awarded to 33 nonprofits and governmental entities across the state. A complete list of recipients is available here.
 
Quotes:
“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 by adding 100 cots and the necessities, along with 10 special-needs cots, to help those in need. It also allows us to purchase a pet sheltering kit to start addressing those needs as well,” said Douglas Bowers, Director of Emergency Management, Cherokee County “Duke Energy is always a great partner for us at the City of Sumter, and this grant is no exception. Being storm-ready is crucial for us. It helps our employees prepare for potentially hazardous weather so that we can best serve and protect our citizens and ideally prevent any damage. Thanks to Duke Energy, we can invest in equipment that will allow us to better serve the people of Sumter in a safe and timely manner,” said David Merchant, Mayor, City of Sumter “This new eye in the sky will provide an overhead view of a scene, offering a more complete perspective for responding ground crews. This additional information should improve response strategies, enhancing operations, saving lives and property, and promoting a safer work environment for our personnel,” said Jimmy Flynn, EMS Operations Coordinator, Landrum Area Fire & Rescue District “We appreciate Duke Energy’s assistance with funding for equipment to help the City of Clemson communicate information to our community, especially during power outages and challenging circumstances,” said Jorge Campos, Chief of Police, City of Clemson.