News Flash

Grant to Support City’s Ability to React and Respond to Severe Weather and Flood Events

DURHAM, N.C. – Thanks to a recent grant, Durham firefighters will now be better equipped to handle severe weather and flooding in the Bull City.

The Durham Fire Department has received a $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation’s Storm Resiliency Initiative. The department will use these grant funds to purchase personal protective equipment to place on each fire truck within the department as an enhancement to its Swift Water Rescue Program.

“Although firefighters may have the required training to make a water rescue, they do not have the required equipment to perform those rescues until the swift water rescue team arrives,” said Deputy Fire Chief Chris Iannuzzi. “With response time being critical to our ability to save lives, this grant will provide the equipment needed on every emergency vehicle to immediately begin water rescue operations. After last year’s floods, Durham County Emergency Management recognized this opportunity for us and was instrumental in us receiving this grant.”  

The Durham Fire Department was one of 65 grant recipients across the state that was selected from more than 140 applicants to receive grants totaling $1.1 million.

“Duke Energy stands with our communities as they recover from the devastation of recent storms, and we want to help them become more resilient to the impacts of future storms,” said Duke Energy North Carolina President Stephen De May. 

To learn more about the Durham Fire Department’s grant and its special operations and training, watch the October 24, 2019 Bull City Today episode or visit the department’s webpage.

About the City of Durham Fire Department

The Durham Fire Department strives to enhance the quality of life for the residents and visitors of Durham by minimizing the harmful effects of fires, medical emergencies, and other types of dangerous events. Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, the department helps create a safer community by conducting fire and life safety education programs;  providing emergency responses to fires, medical calls, hazardous materials spills, technical rescue calls, and water rescue calls; explaining and enforcing the fire code; investigating arson and the cause of other fires; and maintaining readiness through constant training and maintenance of facilities and equipment. To learn more follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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.

Duke Energy is transforming its customers’ experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit’s regulated utilities serve approximately 7.7 million retail electric customers in six states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to more than 1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The Duke Energy Renewables unit operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., as well as energy storage and microgrid projects.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2019 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, and Forbes’ 2018 “America’s Best Employers” list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.