Rooted in the communities they serve, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives believe in supporting the people who make those communities stronger. That includes the firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, law enforcement officers and other first responders who work every day to protect the safety and well-being of North Carolinians.

As the state recognizes September as First Responder Appreciation Month, proclaimed by Gov. Josh Stein, the cooperatives are proud to thank the men and women who answer the call when their communities need them. One way cooperatives help repay that commitment is through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program, which provides funding for projects that strengthen emergency services and equip local departments with the resources they need to serve rural communities.

REDLG funding has supported emergency services through equipment purchases, vehicle acquisitions and facility improvements across North Carolina.

“Our local emergency services are a lifeline for our communities, particularly in a region where rugged terrain can make emergency response challenging, something we witnessed firsthand during Hurricane Helene,” said Katie Woodle, CEO at Blue Ridge Energy. “Investing in first responders is a natural extension of the cooperative principle of Concern for Community. When we support the people who protect our members and neighbors, we strengthen the entire community and demonstrate the power of local partnerships working together for the common good.”

Through the REDLG program, Blue Ridge Energy helped the Ashe County Rescue Squad remount one of its frontline ambulances by replacing its aging chassis while retaining the existing ambulance box. The upgrade improved the vehicle’s reliability and extended its service life at a significantly lower cost than purchasing a new ambulance. The four-wheel-drive ambulance supports the Rescue Squad’s wide range of emergency response efforts, including backup EMS services, search and rescue operations, vehicle extrications, water rescues and severe weather response.

“We recognized the growing costs impacting local emergency service organizations and the challenges they face keeping equipment and vehicles up to date,” said Woodle. “In this project, the Ashe County Rescue Squad was operating an ambulance more than 20 years old that needed significant upgrades to meet current standards. By helping replace critical components and extend the life of that vehicle, we were able to support a more reliable emergency response resource for the community while strengthening long-term response capabilities.”

In Orange County, Piedmont Electric Cooperative is helping ensure firefighters have the equipment they need to continue protecting their community. Through REDLG financing, the cooperative approved a zero-interest loan of more than $676,000 to help the Cedar Grove Fire Department purchase a new fire engine, replacing a 24-year-old apparatus that has faithfully served the department for more than two decades.

“Helping departments proactively replace aging equipment allows them to continue providing dependable emergency services as our communities grow,” said Sarah Bohlin, vice president of corporate services at Piedmont Electric Cooperative.

The REDLG program demonstrates the unique role cooperatives play in their communities. By connecting federal resources with local needs, cooperatives can help support projects that address immediate challenges while also creating opportunities for a brighter future in the communities they serve.

“The REDLG program is valuable because it allows us to leverage resources that might not otherwise be available locally and put them to work where they’re needed most,” said Woodle. “As a cooperative, we’re always looking for ways to strengthen the communities we serve. This program helps turn important community priorities into reality. Since our participation in the program began, we’ve helped support more than 30 emergency services projects, representing over $10.6 million in investments that have strengthened emergency response capabilities across our region. That’s the kind of lasting community impact the REDLG program makes possible.”

The partnership between electric cooperatives and first responders extends far beyond programs like REDLG. From storm recovery efforts to everyday emergencies, cooperatives regularly work alongside local departments to help protect the communities they serve.

“First responders are an indispensable part of our communities,” said Bohlin. “They are there during fires, medical emergencies, severe weather, vehicle accidents and countless other situations when people need help most. They also play a critical role in keeping our employees safe, particularly our lineworkers and field personnel who often work alongside first responders during storms, outages and emergencies. Investing in first responders means investing in the safety of everyone who lives and works in the communities we serve.”