ROCKINGHAM — Fire Chief Harold Isler announced Monday that the Rockingham Fire Department recently received a grant from Target of four Dell Laptop computers.
“It is my plan to assign each shift lieutenant one of these to use in the field while conducting pre-incident surveys,” he said in a statement. “They will also allow each lieutenant to research training topics, and deliver training information found via the internet to their assigned personnel.
“Lastly, these computers will be used by the lieutenants to obtain information from individuals during emergency situations,” Isler continued. “I am extremely pleased with the support which Target has shown to many public safety organizations around the world. I am even more thankful that the Rockingham Fire Department has been selected within those public safety organizations.”
Early in 2016, the fire department wrote a grant seeking a donation of technology from Target as part of the retailer’s Target and Blue partnership initiative to help build safer cities.
Isler learned of the grant in an email he received from Target’s Public Safety Partnerships division last Thursday.
“Target is pleased to inform you the equipment donation request for your agency, Rockingham Fire Department, was approved for four Dell E6230 laptops, and one box was shipped via FedEx Ground services today,” the email stated. “…Target has supported public safety agencies for over two decades through a partnership initiative known as Target & BLUE by sharing resources and expertise to help build safe cities. We appreciate your interest in our program and are proud to be a partner in creating a more resilient community.”
Isler said he is excited about the fire department’s ability increase communications and efficiency with the donated laptops.
“I can’t thank Target enough for this generous donation,” he said. “But (I) can assure them that the Rockingham Fire Department will put these computers to good use.”
Reach reporter Melonie McLaurin at 910-817-2673.