Local fire chiefs David Jones, John Whitfield and Craig Jarman. Kristy Bock / Neuse News

Under the direction of Mike Causey, Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal, the Fire/Rescue Grants & Relief Fund programs collect and disburse over 12 million dollars annually. Local volunteer fire departments have received funding from the grant.

“It’s a grant put out by the NC Department of Insurance where we match dollar for dollar that we can apply for every year,” said Craig Jarman, Chief of the Southwood Volunteer Fire Department. “Whatever grant they provide, we match those funds.”

The Volunteer Fire Department Fund and Volunteer Rescue/EMS Fund was created to financially assist volunteer emergency personnel. The NC General Statutes have been amended to allow for limited paid personnel. Through dollar-for-dollar matching fund programs, the Department of Insurance assists fire departments and rescue/EMS organizations to purchase related equipment and to make capital expenditures.  

"At our department we try to conserve and not buy equipment throughout the year so that we can utilize the grant time,” said Deep Run Volunteer Fire Department Chief John Whitfield. 

The ability to receive the grant year after year has helped many local fire departments purchase necessary items.

“We used it to purchase hoses because we needed them,” said David Jones, Chief of Sand Hill Volunteer Fire Department.

The Firefighters’ Relief Fund and Rescue Relief Fund programs are designed to financially assist firefighter and rescue personnel in the event of In-Line of Duty injury or death. It may also be used for supplemental retirements, educational benefits and to purchase other insurance/pension plans. 

“There is a big focus on protective gear at this time to take care of our people,” said Jones.

Though the grant will bring relief for Personal Protective Equipment and other necessary items, the local volunteer fire departments need additional volunteers from the community, especially during the daytime hours. The companies are currently working together to cover the shortages across different areas. Any citizen who would like to volunteer should reach out to their local volunteer fire department.

“Recruitment and retention are getting harder and harder every year,” said Jarman.