October 2024
Hurricane Helene devastated communities across the Southeastern United States in late September 2024. It was the strongest hurricane on record to strike the Big Bend region of Florida, the deadliest Atlantic Hurricane since Maria in 2017, and the deadliest to strike the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005.
Helene hit western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee especially hard, drenching the mountains with unprecedented rainfall and flooding entire towns. Recovery efforts in the region are ongoing and expected to take years to complete. Shortly after the storm, IDEX Fire & Safety employees joined marketing partner Fire Department Coffee to support those providing relief to the people of western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The Fire Department Coffee's, Rosenbauer America Disaster Response Fire Truck, labeled.
Fire Department Coffee has a Rosenbauer America Disaster Response Fire Truck that includes, among other things, a clothes washer and dryer, and a shower with water heater, to help relief workers get cleaned up so they can continue their valuable work. That inclues first responders, many of whom has been working tirelessly for weeks.
Joining the Fire Department Coffee team at various points were IDEX teammates Director of IDEX Fire & Safety North American Marketing and Communications Brent Warwick, Marketing Manager Britt Hawkins, and Marketing Project Manager Lauren Ploof, along with members of their families.
“Serving first responders in the North Carolina mountains in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene is in line with our purpose and mission at IDEX Fire & Safety. And getting to do that alongside our strategic partner, Fire Department Coffee, and two of my kids made it matter even more,” Brent said.
Britt added, “These people faced extreme devastation, yet their tenacious spirit showed through. A kind word, a smile, and a little distraction with a hot cup of coffee was a breath of fresh air for these folks. I am so humbled to have been a small part of it and hope that I may have a picked up a little bit of their spirit to take home with me.”
“The whole purpose of this project is to protect people's dignity, the communities affected, and the first responders,” said Randy James, Director of Brand Relations for Fire Department Coffee. “The truck is a dynamic piece of equipment that we utilize when people lose their basic needs. We want to provide a place for them to take a shower, havefood, dry clothes, blankets, and so much more. We want to give them a cup of coffee, have a conversation with them, listen to them, and thank them for all they do.”
You can read more about the great work Fire Department Coffee does and contribute to their mission here: Fire Department Coffee Charitable Foundation.
Read more about Fire Department Coffee’s efforts in North Carolina: Fire Department Coffee Brings Relief and Hope to Western North Carolina
Brent Warwick, Randy James, and Brent's son (left to right)
