FUNDING SOURCE

Inflation reduction act

partner organization

Footprint project

Assistant Chief Bruce Cook has served on the Broad River Fire Department in Black Mountain, North Carolina for 31 years, taking on every role in the department, including chief.

When he’s not doing what needs to be done for the department, he and his wife like to chase the grandkids and garden.

“Being a volunteer is a privilege and an honor, but you’re on call 24/7,” Cook said. “Rain or shine or snow, anything. Being in the fire department has taught me how to be a better problem solver.”

In September of 2024, Cook and his North Carolina neighbors faced a huge problem. 

Hurricane Helene hit Black Mountain hard. America’s deadliest hurricane in 20 years submerged entire neighborhoods in Black Mountain. It cut off power, shut down roads and displaced residents. The city government alone sustained an estimated $27 million in damage as the Swannanoa River overflowed its banks.

Broad River’s main fire station was completely flooded. Its LP gas tanks floated down the river, and the building’s generator was completely underwater. Another fire-department sub-station was completely cut off by washed-out roads.

The fire department’s remaining Shumont sub-station became absolutely essential. “This station was a critical part of the community up here for supplies, communication and health needs,” Cook said. “Power was out. Phones were out.”

As Black Mountain worked to dig out, dry out, rebuild and reconnect, the fire department received a message from Footprint Project, a nonprofit that works with communities and local partners to deliver cleaner, mobile power when disasters disrupt the grid.

“Footprint was able to set up a temporary microgrid — a bunch of solar panels in a field hooked up to a Tesla power wall on a pallet — and power the Shumont sub-station.,” said Jamie Trowbridge, a senior program manager with the Footprint Project. “That kind of mobility and flexibility is really helpful anywhere, but especially in rural places with geographical isolation.

A solar microgrid consists of solar panels that charge a battery, and an inverter that converts the stored energy into usable power. Mobile microgrids are a key tool in disaster response—and building out permanent microgrids can be a “gamechanger” when preparing for the next disaster.

In August of 2025, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality invested $5 million in solar microgrids to help its communities recover from future disasters. Land of Sky Regional Council, NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) and Footprint Project began installing about two dozen microgrids in six counties affected by Hurricane Helene.

The funding is also being used to develop two mobile units that can be deployed for disaster response statewide. Footprint Project calls these “beehive” microgrids, because each mobile “hive” includes several smaller solar microgrids on trailers—the “bees.”

One of the permanent microgrids is now providing reliable power for the Broad River Fire Department. Since its installation, Cook said he has seen power bills go down at the fire department.

But even more important than the everyday benefit is the peace of mind that comes from knowing the community can power essentials when disaster strikes. “That’s one less thing we have to worry about,” Cook said. “Knowing that there’s power here, the station will be operational, and the community will be able to come here if their power is not on — to communicate with their family members, charge their phones, get some water, because we got a well pump if their water is off. All those things are important for day-to-day operations.”

In the case of disaster, reliable power can literally save lives. “It’s definitely a comfort to know that we got the power,” Cook said.