Local volunteer fire departments receive state grant funding

Eleven local fire departments were recently approved for grant funding totaling more than $176,000 through the Volunteer Fire Department Fund. A ceremonial check presentation was held on Aug. 23 at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center, with awards ranging from $6,639 to $30,000. N.C. Insurance Commissioner/State Fire Marshal Mike Causey and Chief State Fire Marshal/Assistant Commissioner Brian Taylor made a scheduled stop in Granville County to officially announce the awards, which are part of a statewide program assisting more than 500 volunteer fire departments in North Carolina.

Granville County fire departments awarded grant funding through this program include:

* Antioch-Fishing Creek Volunteer Fire Department, $11,000;
* Brassfield Volunteer Fire Department, $18,450;
* Bullock Volunteer Fire Department, $30,000;
* Corinth Volunteer Fire Department, $6,639.31;
* Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department, $15,927;
* Creedmoor Volunteer Fire Department, $24,737.50;
* Granville Rural Fire Department, $15,568.50;
* Providence Community Fire Department, $8,629.12;
* Stem Community Fire Department and EMS, $11,471.46;
* Total Community Fire Department of Berea, $10,454; and
* Virgilina Volunteer Fire Association, $23,608.37.

Grants awarded were 100 percent of the amounts requested by each fire department during the application process.

The Volunteer Fire Department Fund was created to assist North Carolina’s volunteer fire departments in purchasing equipment and making capital expenditures and is administered through the N.C. Department of Insurance/Office of the State Fire Marshal. Fire departments approved for funding are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $30,000. Eligible volunteer fire departments must be rated/certified by the N.C. Department of Insurance.

Fire Services in Granville County are provided by 12 volunteer and two paid departments. Each department maintains and provides 24-hour fire protection services.