Black Hills Energy supports volunteer fire departments through Funds for Firefighters program
KEARNEY, NEBRASKA – September 14, 2026 – Volunteer firefighters play a critical role in protecting the communities we serve, often responding to emergencies while balancing careers, families and other responsibilities. Through the Black Hills Corporation Foundation's Funds for Firefighters program, Black Hills Energy is proud to support these local heroes with resources that help keep communities safe.
This year, the Foundation awarded $165,000 through 72 grants benefiting volunteer and combination fire departments across its service territory. The grants are expected to positively impact residents in 72 communities across seven states.
In Nebraska, 24 fire departments received $40,000:
-Atkinson Fire & Rescue Department: thermal imaging drone
-Auburn Volunteer Fire Department: 2 ALTAIR 4XR multigas detectors
-Bertrand Fire & Rescue: to help build a 1-ton wildland firefighting truck with a tank/pump skid unit
-Curtis Rural Fire Protection District: F-500 encapsulation fire suppression system
-Dannebrog Fire & Rescue District: replacement of bunker gear
-Doniphan Fire District 6: new bunker gear
-Elgin Volunteer Fire Department: wildland firefighting masks
-Eustis Fire Protection Board: wildland fire shelters PPE
-Firth Rural Fire District: replacement of bunker gear
-Franklin Rural Fire Protection District: HyperSight units on grass trucks
-Garden County Rural Fire Protection District #2: replace worn/damaged wildland firefighting gear utilized fighting the Morrill Fire
-Gibbon Volunteer Fire Department: upgrade trucks with fittings, nozzles, and hose
-Gordon Volunteer Fire Department: wildland firefighting equipment upgrades
-Gosper County Rural Fire Protection District #1: wildland nozzles and chainsaws
-Loomis Fire Protection District #4: hoses, nozzles, chain saw
-Loup City Fire Department: Super Vac fan
-Milford Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department: Rescue Randy for training
-Minden Fire & Rescue: battery-operated ventilation fan
-Osceola Fire Department: replace fire helmets
-Pierce Volunteer Fire Department: portable meters
-Plattsmouth Volunteer Fire Department: replace K-12 saw
-Shelton Volunteer Fire Department: wildland PPE
-Trumbull Rural Fire District: Motorola R7 Portable Radios
-Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department: bunker gear and PPE
Funds for Firefighters grants help departments purchase critical equipment and resources, including:
Protective gear such as coats, helmets, boots and safety equipment
Rescue and emergency response tools
Communication equipment and radios
Fire suppression equipment, hoses and nozzles
Infrastructure improvements and facility upgrades
Other mission-critical equipment identified by local departments
"Volunteer firefighters answer the call when their neighbors need them most," said Andy Storf, general manager of Nebraska operations at Black Hills Energy. "We are honored to support these dedicated first responders through the Funds for Firefighters program and help provide the equipment and resources they need to serve their communities safely and effectively."
The Funds for Firefighters program aligns with the Foundation's commitment to building thriving communities throughout its service territory.
Since 2001, the Black Hills Corporation Foundation has granted more than $10,000,000 to organizations across the communities we serve.
To learn more about Black Hills Energy's commitment to community impact, visit blackhillsenergy.com/community.
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About Black Hills Energy
Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.37 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp.com and www.blackhillsenergy.com.