Battery Purchases Can Power Fire Department

is one of about 77 Massachusetts fire departments that rely on volunteer or call personnel to protect the community.

Starting today, Duracell, in conjunction with the National Volunteer Fire Council, kicked off a national battery donation program, Power Those Who Protect Us, to help equip volunteer firefighters with supplies they need to help power everyday tools and life-saving devices, such as flashlights, breathing apparatus and emergency personnel locators.

Power Those Who Protect Us was created to raise awareness of the needs of volunteers who protect their communities. Sixty-four percent of volunteer firefighters surveyed reported that their department is not sufficiently funded to sustain all areas of operation. 

With support from consumers, the program goal is to provide 10 million batteries to the 23,000 volunteer fire departments in the U.S. To help, consumers would purchase specially marked Duracell Copper Top 10- and 20-packs of AA or AAA batteries.

For each pack purchased, Duracell will donate one or two batteries. Every department will receive a sizable donation of batteries. 

To ensure that local departments are supported, consumers can direct their battery donation to Grafton by zip code at www.duracell.com/protect or by visiting facebook.com/duracell and clicking the program tab.