Black Hills Energy is proud to support local firefighters again this year with $165,000 in safety grants through the Funds for Firefighters program, a 2026 giving initiative of the Black Hills Corp. Foundation.
Earlier this month, the Elgin Volunteer Fire Department was presented a check for $1,000 to be used to obtain wildland firefighting masks.
The Funds for Firefighters program provided financial assistance to professional and volunteer fire departments within Black Hills Energy’s service territory to help them purchase essential equipment and supplies that enhance emergency response and public safety. Seventy-two grants were awarded across 72 communities in Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.
“Safety starts with people — and the courage to serve,” said Andy Storf, general manager of Nebraska operations at Black Hills Energy. “Our volunteer firefighters embody that spirit every day, and we’re proud to stand beside them. At Black Hills Energy, we believe that when we invest in those who protect our communities, we’re building a stronger, safer future for everyone.”
In Nebraska, $40,000 was distributed to the other 23 community partners:
• 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
• 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
Many volunteer departments also serve as emergency medical technicians, lead search and rescue operations, teach fire safety in schools and conduct emergency preparedness drills.
“At Black Hills Energy, our mission is to improve life with energy,” Storf said. “This includes creating a positive work environment that recognizes the contributions of our employee team. Our Funds for Firefighters program shines the spotlight on employees who go above and beyond and serve in these volunteer first responder roles. We are grateful for their service.”
