Duke Energy is distributing $500,000 in grant funding to support emergency preparedness and response efforts across South Carolina as part of its Helping Emergency Response Organizations (HERO) Grant Program.
The funding, administered through the Duke Energy Foundation, will be awarded to 38 nonprofit organizations and government agencies statewide. Each recipient may receive up to $20,000 to support training, purchase life-saving equipment and invest in new technology aimed at improving response to severe weather events and other emergencies.
State officials and emergency management leaders said the grants are designed to address operational gaps identified during recent storms, including Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread damage across South Carolina and underscored the challenges faced by first responders during large-scale disasters.
The HERO program focuses on strengthening preparedness ahead of hurricane season by helping agencies improve coordination, communication and field response capabilities. Funding priorities include specialized training, rescue equipment and technology upgrades that enhance situational awareness and disaster response.
Duke Energy officials said this year marks the fourth consecutive year of the $500,000 grant initiative, bringing total HERO program support in South Carolina to $2 million since its launch. Since 2022, the program has provided 137 microgrants to organizations across the state.
“The one thing our company and communities learned in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene is you can never be too prepared for severe weather events,” said Tim Pearson, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president. “Now more than ever, we are committed to providing our fellow first responders the tools and training they need to handle whatever Mother Nature throws our way.”
Among recent recipients is the North Spartanburg Firefighters Foundation, which said prior HERO funding helped purchase rescue equipment that has already been used in life-saving operations during severe weather events. Officials said additional funding will allow departments to expand capabilities, including the use of drones and other specialized tools.
Other grant recipients include fire departments, EMS agencies and emergency management offices across the state. In Florence, fire officials said funding will support improved communication systems, including vehicle repeater technology designed to maintain coordination when conditions are at their most dangerous. Emergency managers in Marion County said the investment will help strengthen long-term planning by incorporating lessons learned from past disasters.
Medical response leaders with the South Carolina EMS Association said the funding will help build a more coordinated statewide response network, improving the ability to deploy resources quickly during large-scale emergencies.
Officials across agencies emphasized that the grants will help strengthen readiness, improve response times and ultimately save lives as South Carolina continues to face increasingly severe weather threats.
A complete list of grant recipients is available through Duke Energy.
