The City of North Charleston has received a grant from Norfolk Southern to purchase specialized protective suits for firefighters responding to hazardous materials incidents.
The city announced the award Nov. 12 in a post on X, saying the funding came through Norfolk Southern's Safety First Grant Program.
The money will be used to buy encapsulating suits for the North Charleston Fire Department's hazardous materials program, according to a separate post from the department.
The suits are designed to provide protective coverage for fire personnel during hazardous materials responses. The city said the equipment will help firefighters respond more safely to those incidents.
Norfolk Southern's Safety First Grant Program supports organizations that provide safety services or promote safe practices in communities across the railroad's 22-state network. The company said its 2026 grants offered up to $15,000 for first responders and organizations working to prevent and prepare for emergencies, including efforts to improve response readiness.
The grant amount North Charleston received was not disclosed in the city's announcement.
Norfolk Southern launched its community grant programs in 2023. The company said the Safety First program is intended to support emergency response organizations with equipment, training and other resources. More information is available on the company's grant program website.
