White Cross Volunteer Fire Department Receives a $165,000 Zero-Interest Loan for Fire Truck
Chapel Hill, NC (November 6th, 2017) – The White Cross Volunteer Fire Department received a $165,000 zero-interested loan from Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation to help pay for their new 2008 tanker truck and equipment.
This larger, 2,000-gallon pumper tanker will aid the department in responding to a predicted increase in emergency calls each year as Orange County’s population is estimated to increase by 43.67 percent by 2030 according to the Orange County Planning and Inspections Division.
“There are multiple benefits the larger pumper tanker provides the fire department and our citizens,” Chief Jamal P. Nasseri stated. “It increases the amount of initial water at a fire emergency, carries more equipment and is also a safer vehicle for our fire fighters.”
This new fire truck will also allow the department to maintain their level 5 Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating. This ISO rating helps determine insurance rates for homeowners in the area. A lower ISO rating means lower homeowners insurance rates.
The funds for the White Cross Volunteer Fire Department’s pumper tanker and equipment were loaned by Piedmont Electric as part of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program. The program provides zero-interest funds to local electric cooperatives who in turn lend the money to local entities for projects that support rural areas.
“We are always proud when we can support a project that improves one of our communities,” said Steve Hamlin, Piedmont Electric President and CEO. “Working with fire departments gives us the unique opportunity to invest in economic development in our service area while also making our community a safer place to live.”
In the past four years, Piedmont Electric has secured more than $9 million in funding within Orange, Alamance, Caswell, Durham, and Person counties for fire trucks, fire stations, ambulances and schools. As the funds are repaid they are re-loaned to assist with future projects in communities served by Piedmont Electric.
Piedmont Electric is a local, member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving more than 31,000 electric accounts in Alamance, Caswell, Durham, Granville, Orange and Person counties. Piedmont Electric exists to serve our members and improve the quality of life in our communities through local employment, economic development, business engagement, youth education, grants to educators, advocacy for energy issues, community involvement and emergency preparedness support. Visit www.pemc.coop for more information.
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Photo caption: Members of the White Cross Volunteer Fire Department, Representative Graig Meyer and representatives from Piedmont Electric gather to celebrate the closing of $165,000 in zero-interest loans to the White Cross Volunteer Fire Department.
Photo caption: Members of the White Cross Volunteer Fire Department, Representative Graig Meyer and representatives from Piedmont Electric gather to celebrate the closing of $165,000 in zero-interest loans to the White Cross Volunteer Fire Department.
Attendees from left to right:
Susan Cashion, Piedmont Electric VP – Chief Compliance & Administrative Officer at Piedmont Electric
David Poythress, Piedmont Electric Board of Directors
Sam Woods, Piedmont Electric Board of Directors
Randy Kinley, Piedmont Electric Board of Directors
Steve Hamlin, Piedmont Electric President and CEO
Chief Phillip, White Cross Volunteer Fire Department
Tony Blake, White Cross Volunteer Fire Department – Board of Directors President
Representative Graig Meyer
Chris Wade, White Cross Volunteer Fire Department – Captain
Eddie Walker, White Cross Volunteer Fire Department – Captain
Tyler Hoke, White Cross Volunteer Fire Department – Lt.
Jeff Mooney, White Cross Volunteer Fire Department – Deputy Chief
Photo caption: Representative Graig Meyer and Chief Phillip discuss the White Cross Volunteer Fire Department’s new 2008 pumper tanker.
Photo caption: Tony Blake, White Cross VFD Board of Directors President, and Steve Hamlin, Piedmont Electric President & CEO, discuss the new fire truck.