Six volunteer fire departments in Vance County received grant funding from a state program designed to help smaller departments purchase equipment and make capital improvements.
In addition, two departments that serve Vance and adjoining counties received funding, which brings the total to more than $140,000, according to Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen.
Fire departments send requests each year for funding from the state’s Volunteer Fire Department Fund, which distributes money in the form of grants. The grants must be matched dollar for dollar, up to $30,000.
Here’s a breakdown by department:
- Bearpond Rural Fire Department, Inc. – $6,630
- Cokesbury Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. – $28,530
- Hicksboro Fire Department – $8,115
- Kittrell Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. – $29,968.41
- Townsville Rural Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. – $1,328.60
- Watkins Community Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. – $30,000
The total amount for the Vance County departments is $104,572.01, but that number climbs to $140,696.74 when grant funding to Epsom Fire Department, serving Vance and Frankin counties, is added ($11,128.12) and grant funding to Drewry, serving Vance and Warren counties, is added ($25,440.50).
Granville County received grants totaling more than $176,000 in the most recent disbursement of funds.
Fire departments in Warren County received $213,576.50 and Franklin County departments were awarded $73,454.55, according to the complete listing from N.C. Department of Insurance.
The Volunteer Fire Department Fund was created to assist North Carolina’s volunteer fire departments with purchasing equipment and making capital expenditures. It is administered through the N.C. Department of Insurance/Office of the State Fire Marshal. Eligible volunteer fire departments must be rated/certified by the N.C. Department of Insurance.