- Bloom Energy and ESPN have delivered checks to multiple U.S. fire stations this season, including locations in Texas, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania, with plans for several others to receive funds.
- Homecoming Week means more than alumni reminiscing and students celebrating around the University of Florida and the city of Gainesville.
Homecoming Week means more than alumni reminiscing and students celebrating around the University of Florida and the city of Gainesville. Gator game days bring an increased call load for Gainesville Fire Rescue (GFR).
But this football weekend also brought a $10,000 check to Gainesville Professional Firefighters, the local union, to buy reciprocating saws, chainsaws, generators and hazmat gear for GFR trucks.
Gainesville Professional Firefighters President David Shuford said the equipment will last for 3-5 years, depending on use and will go a long way.
The check was powered by Bloom Energy and ESPN Radio’s College Campus Tour. The partners gathered at GFR Station 1 on Friday to deliver the check and breakfast to firefighters in between calls.
It’s a season-long initiative, and Bloom Energy has already delivered checks to fire stations in College Station, Texas; Louisville, Kentucky; and State College, Pennsylvania. Next on the list: Austin, Texas; Oxford, Mississippi; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Lincoln, Nebraska.
Akhil Batheja, senior director of product strategy for Bloom Energy, said the company focuses on resiliency by providing energy when and where needed—distributed, on-site power generation. That resiliency is also a core characteristic for firefighters, he said.
The Bloom Energy Servers, small power plants, provide electricity without combustion.
Batheja said the smallest servers can power a Walmart store or apartment complex with around 200 units. The servers scale up to support distribution centers, hospitals and more, he said.