Palmetto Railways partners with local fire departments to enhance emergency services for the Cross Community
Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Palmetto Railways, a division of the South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce), announced today it is providing $375,000 in funding to Central Berkeley Fire & EMS for the Cross Rural Fire District to upgrade equipment and/or infrastructure to improve emergency services available to the Cross Community.
Palmetto Railways is partnering with the emergency services provider as part of the transportation related mitigation for the Camp Hall Rail Project to minimize and compensate for transportation impacts.
Palmetto Railways engaged the leadership of the emergency services provider to identify the best way to maximize the mitigation funds. With the funding made available by Palmetto Railways in a Memorandum of Agreement, Central Berkeley Fire & EMS will complete building renovations and improvement work at the Cross District Fire Station located on Old Highway 6 in Cross.
Funding used for upgrades related to the Cross Rural Fire District is in addition to other transportation mitigation activities Palmetto Railways is performing as part of the development of the Camp Hall Rail Project, including advanced at-grade, railroad crossing signalization systems, at-grade early-warning systems at specific crossing locations and rail related emergency services training.
Quotes:
“Palmetto Railways is not only committed to providing rail service that supports and enhances economic growth, but it is also equally committed to ensuring those who live near the lines we operate have the quality of life and safe environment to be a thriving part of the local community. The opportunity to help with improving the services emergency responders can provide as well as the equipment they use, is something we are proud to support.” -Palmetto Railways President and CEO Patrick McCrory
“It’s encouraging and appreciated when business and industry work within the local community to mitigate the impacts of growth. Public safety and infrastructure improvements are top priorities for Berkeley County and its leaders. We know this generous donation will go a long way to provide for the needs of our rural fire departments and the needs of our communities in and around Cross.” -Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb
“We are excited about the partnership between Central Berkeley Fire & EMS and Palmetto Railways. We are being given the opportunity to take an old station which is currently only big enough to house apparatus and rebuild it into a proper fire station with accommodations to staff a crew. This is a huge win, not just for our department, but for the residents of the Cross Fire District. The fact that we can do this without a significant impact to our operational budget is a testament to the lengths we go through to be fiscally responsible with the taxpayer’s dollars.” -Central Berkeley Fire & EMS Chief Tim Stephenson
About Palmetto Railways
Palmetto Railways, established in 1969, promotes the economic viability of the State of South Carolina by providing safe, efficient and cost-effective rail solutions to facilitate the movement of freight and to support economic development efforts. Palmetto Railways also provides technical assistance and consulting services in railroad matters to state, local and municipal governments. As a division of the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Palmetto Railways is a Class III terminal switching and short line railroad located in Charleston, S.C., serving the Port of Charleston and multiple industries based in the five-county region of the Lowcountry. Palmetto Railways lines have direct access to both Eastern Class I railroads, CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway. For more information, visit www.palmettorailways.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelly Coakley
Director of Marketing and Communications
South Carolina Department of Commerce
(803) 737-1998
kcoakley@sccommerce.com
www.SCcommerce.com
