Firefighters Gain Rare Training Equipment From Novo Nordisk

CLAYTON, NC – The Clayton Fire Department is strengthening its emergency response efforts thanks to a rare donation from Novo Nordisk’s Clayton facility, a global pharmaceutical company.

The donation includes two industrial tanks used in confined space operations, giving firefighters a new way to train in spaces that closely match real emergencies. One tank will be used for horizontal entry training while the other will be set upright for vertical entry exercises, helping crews practice different rescue scenarios in a controlled setting.

For the department, receiving equipment like this is not common and carries a deeper meaning for those who train with it.

“We build as much as we can on our own to meet our needs,” said Deputy Fire Chief Chad Stephenson. “So, when something like this comes along, it fills a gap we cannot easily close ourselves and really moves our program forward.”

Because the tanks mirror real industrial environments, they allow firefighters to go beyond basic training and prepare for the unexpected. Crews can now work through challenges they may face in the field before an emergency ever happens.

“There are small details on equipment like this that you just cannot recreate,” said Stephenson. “Being able to train with the real thing helps us think through problems ahead of time instead of trying to figure it out in the moment.”

This opportunity is made possible through the department’s ongoing partnership with Novo Nordisk. As the company reviewed equipment tied to future expansion plans, it identified items that could serve a greater purpose in the community.

“They reached out to us and asked if we could use it,” said Stephenson. “That kind of partnership means a lot because it shows they are thinking about safety beyond their own facility.”

Bringing the equipment to Clayton required teamwork across multiple partners. Each tank weighs several thousand pounds with one reaching about 13,000 pounds. The Town of Clayton’s Street Division handled transportation while Caterpillar provided heavy machinery to unload the equipment at Fire Station 2, located off NC Highway 42 East.

Reflecting on the process, Stephenson emphasized the spirit of cooperation that made it all possible.

“Every time we asked for help, no one hesitated,” said Stephenson. “Everyone came together and found a way to make it happen, and that says a lot about this community.”

Now that the equipment is in place, the benefits extend beyond training alone. Firefighters can build skills more often without leaving the Town, which helps keep crews ready and available for calls.

“I can send people out to train, but having this here means we can keep our people close while still improving,” said Stephenson. “That is a huge advantage when you are trying to serve your community at the highest level.”

This investment supports safer outcomes for both firefighters and the community during high-risk emergencies.