In recent months, Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation, based in Hillsborough, has helped make the communities it serves safer by issuing no-interest loans to fire and rescue operations in Orange, Person, Caswell and Durham counties.

“We are always proud when we can support a project that improves a community in which we provide electricity,” said Piedmont Electric president and CEO Randy Brecheisen. “Working with fire and rescue departments gives us the unique opportunity to strengthen the communities we serve. We feel it is making our community a safer place to live, a picture of everything our cooperative structure represents.”

Piedmont Electric’s Revolving Community Loan program, in partnership with the USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program, helps provide zero-interest loans to local businesses. As loans are repaid, funds go into the electric cooperative’s Revolving Loan Fund, available to loan again to assist with future projects. 

Last year, the co-op provided the city of Mebane with funding to purchase new fire trucks and equipment. The following fire and EMS departments have received assistance during the last 14 months.

Eno Fire Department: $285,000 

A new elliptical tanker will be used to carry 1,800 gallons of water to fire scenes outside of Hillsborough’s city limits. The tanker will provide fire suppression, medical first responder and haz-mat services to the Hillsborough area in Orange County.

Moriah Volunteer Fire Department: $250,000 

A new fire truck will be used to improve emergency response of the Moriah department to approximately 300 calls per year in Person County and a part of Durham County.

Orange Rural Fire Department: $360,000

A new Sutphen rescue pumper truck will serve as a first response unit for all fire, rescue and wreck calls that occur within the Orange Rural Fire Department District and the town of Hillsborough, to help improve their aging fleet of fire engines. Not only does the truck purchase improve the safety of the 64 square-mile area, but the savings on interest alone will help fund two new positions in the department.

New Hope Volunteer Fire Department: $168,000

The loan helps add a tanker truck to the New Hope fleet to haul water to rural fires where hydrants are often less common. The savings on interest alone will help add new protective turnout gear for three firefighters, reports Howard Pratt, president of the VFD.

Caswell County Emergency Medical Services: $360,000

The loan helps purchase two ambulances for the Caswell EMC fleet. The fact that there are no hospitals located within Caswell County means that EMS vehicles must transport patients to the closest appropriate facility. Fully functional and dependable ambulances are essential to ensuring that patients reach hospitals in time to receive the care they need.