Volunteer fire departments prepare for future emergencies with support from NCCF Disaster Relief Fund
The North Carolina Community Foundation and its affiliates distributed more than $950,000 from its Disaster Relief Fund to emergency response organizations in western North Carolina counties affected by Hurricane Helene. Much of the support went to volunteer fire departments, with the goal of building stronger, better-equipped teams ready to face the next disaster.
“Volunteer fire departments played a key role in distributing aid after Hurricane Helene, and they will be among the first to respond when the next emergency happens,” said Shari Williamson, program officer for NCCF who oversees grantmaking in western North Carolina.
In Swain County, the Alarka Volunteer Fire Department — which serves a remote area with just one road in and out — faced significant emergency response needs in rapid succession.
Power outages swept the area after Helene, and the fire station became a vital distribution center for food, supplies and aid, said Chief David Sawyer. However, a lack of electricity complicated their efforts, highlighting the need for reliable backup power.
In the months after Helene, the department confronted two major wildfires. The first fire burned about 1,600 acres in their district in March and forced residents to evacuate. “We were running 12-hour shifts, 24 hours a day,” said Sawyer.
Support came from neighboring counties and multiple agencies, with helicopters and planes providing aerial assistance. “We had probably 80 to 100 firefighters out here at one point.” The following month, Alarka volunteer firefighters responded to another fire nearby that consumed 600 acres. “We just got back to normal from that big fire in March, and then that other one hit. We went right back into 12-hour shifts, moving equipment again. There was no time to rest,” said Sawyer.
Despite the intensity of the fires, no homes were lost. “That was unreal,” Sawyer said.
Another surprise came in May. But this time it was a positive one, when the Swain County Community Foundation granted $25,000 to the Alarka Volunteer Fire Department from NCCF’s Disaster Relief Fund. “It was kind of out of the blue for us. We didn’t even ask for it, and it was so appreciated,” said Sawyer.
“These grants were not application-based. We proactively worked with affiliates to identify organizations that needed help,” Williamson said. “Most volunteer fire departments don’t have grant writers or dedicated fundraising staff. Getting a grant from NCCF can make a big difference for departments that are juggling emergency response and fundraising with very limited resources.”
Alarka wasn’t the only local volunteer fire department faced with ongoing response. Williamson noted that in several counties, downed trees from Helene provided fuel for subsequent wildfires, and damaged roads made firefighting more difficult.
The Alarka Volunteer Fire Department plans to use the grant money in part toward buying a large generator that will power the fire station and the adjacent cafeteria building during future power outages, along with other preparedness needs. “We lose power here a lot during storms and emergencies, and that really limits what we can do to support the community,” Sawyer said. “Losing power keeps us from using this facility as a shelter, which it could be.”
He added the grant money may also support the purchase of personal protective equipment and training costs. “We’re very appreciative. This money will help us be ready for the next emergency,” he said.