Jul 14

Jul 14 Sandy Bottom Volunteer Fire Department recognized with SAVE awards

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey honored first responders at Sandy Bottom Volunteer Fire Department.

“I want to thank all of our first responders, emergency management, emergency services, everybody that’s out there every day keeping up safe for what you do putting your life on the line every day to keep your community safe,” said Causey.

On Friday, April 30, the Sandy Bottom, Southwood and Deep Run volunteer fire departments responded to a mobile home fire on Albritton’s Road in Kinston. Upon arrival, the firefighters learned that there were five occupants trapped in the mobile home.

Firefighters entered the mobile home through a window. Some of the firefighters worked to help the victims escape while others fought the blaze to keep the fire from spreading. Unfortunately, one of the victims succumbed to injuries from the fire.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey at Sandy Bottom Fire Department.

“Our firefighters and first responders are heroes every day for the service and sacrifice they make day in and day out,” said Brian Taylor, Chief State Fire Marshall.

SAVE Awards go to first responders who go above and beyond the call of duty in their service to the public.

Causey handed the SAVE awards to Sandy Bottom Fire Chief Daniel Chewning, Deputy Chief Scott Hardison, Assistant Chief Timothy Mooring Jr., Capt. Kyle Owens and firefighters Chris Locke and Landon Stroud, along with Southwood Capt. Tyler Foyles and Deep Run firefighter Blake Ellis.

J. Mac Daughety, Lenoir County Commissioner and member of the Sandy Bottom Fire Department board said, “Sandy Bottom is like all of our fire departments, is a collection of individuals who chose to serve their community. They don’t do it for glory, they don’t do it for fame. They certainly don’t do it for pay, they are volunteers. These young men, without thought for themselves, or a thought to their family, ran into a trailer with only one thought, to save the people in that trailer.”

Commissioner Causey presented checks to six volunteer fire departments in Lenoir County: Deep Run, Hugo, Pink Hill, Sand Hill, Sandy Bottom, and Southwood. The matching grants are part of a statewide program that awards nearly $9.9 million to 554 volunteer fire departments.

Captain Stroud, one of the recipients of the SAVE award said, “Today I’m glad we can all get together to recognize everyone for their extreme hard work. We’re rewarding individuals who put their training to the test that night.”