The Smithfield Fire Department has received a $22,000.00 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to create powerful communities in Smithfield through assisting with storm related rescues to preserve human life.
Duke Energy announced more than $1.1 million in funding to help North Carolina communities increase their response capabilities for future weather events with advance preparation and planning. Sixty-five grant recipients across the state were selected from more than 140 applications, with projects ranging from swift water rescue equipment and specialized radios to nonprofit training and Spanish language outreach. Smithfield Fire Department requested $42,113 and was awarded $22,000.00.
“The overwhelming response to this grant opportunity underscores the profound need of our communities – many still recovering from the devastation of last year’s storms,” said Stephen De May, North Carolina president, Duke Energy. “We want to help our communities become more resilient to the impacts of a major storm. And with the season’s first major hurricane forming in the Atlantic, we have a vivid reminder of the importance of advance planning.”
“We are very excited about this opportunity provided by the Duke Energy Foundation Grant,” said Smithfield Fire Chief John Blanton. “We will be able purchase water rescue equipment that will increase our ability to assist the public during emergency events that leads to the preservation of human life.”
Blanton continued, “during the last major hurricane event, Smithfield performed 44 water rescues without the needed equipment. With this grant, we are able to perform much safer rescues with the additional equipment and training this grant will provide us.”
Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy’s customers live and work. The foundation contributes more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts, and is funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars. More information about the foundation and its Powerful Communities program can be found at duke-energy.com/foundation.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 125 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.
