Princeton Donates Fire Truck To North Carolina Town Battered By Hurricane Helene

PRINCETON, NJ — The municipality of Princeton recently donated one of its surplus fire trucks to a town in North Carolina to help with hurricane recovery.

Banner Elks was one of the towns that took a hard hit from Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27. Princeton answered the call for help and donated the 1999 Pierce Dash, to the Banner Elk Volunteer Fire & Rescue, to aid in their recovery efforts.

The truck, a 1999 Pierce pumper with a 75-foot aerial waterway, provides the mountainous town with critical firefighting capabilities, particularly in hard-to-reach or elevated areas.

“This truck fills a critical gap for us,” Banner Elk Fire Chief Tyler Burr said in a statement.

“It gives us the ability to reach those who need us most when it matters most.”

Initially, Princeton planned to sell the truck through GovDeals, an online marketplace for government surplus items. However, when Princeton Fire Chief Adam Kooker saw the impact of the hurricane, he proposed donating it instead.

“When we saw the need, we knew we could make a meaningful difference,” Kooker said in a statement. GovDeals facilitated the donation process, quickly matching Banner Elk’s need with Princeton’s surplus vehicle, and covered the shipping costs to ensure prompt delivery.

The new fire truck is also expected to bring financial relief to Banner Elk residents.

"This truck will have a huge impact the next time we rate for insurance,” Banner Elk Assistant Fire Chief Will Treen said.

“It’s not only going to help with firefighting capabilities and performance, but also the taxpayers, business owners, and homeowners. It’s a win for the entire community.”

Princeton Mayor Mark Freda emphasized the broader significance of the donation. “In times of crisis, we stand with those in need. This donation is an example of the strength of communities helping each other.”

Hurricane Helene struck in late September, causing severe flooding and wind damage across North Carolina, leaving small mountain towns like Banner Elk isolated.

The natural disaster placed immense pressure on predominantly volunteer fire departments.

Despite these challenges, Banner Elk’s firefighters worked tirelessly to protect their community.

“I cannot say enough about what our residents have done for their community,” Burr said. “To see young volunteers stay behind during an evacuation, saving lives under harsh conditions, was extraordinary.”

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