By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

EAST SPENCER — This week the East Spencer Fire Department was awarded a grant from the state fire marshal’s office and has plans to replace a dated command vehicle.

The 50/50 matching grant is from the N.C. Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal and will provide the fire department with $13,043.

“It’s a great honor and privilege to receive this grant. We’ve been blessed,” said Fire Chief Shawn McBride.

He said the town’s portion will come from the next budget year, which will begin in July. The command/medical responder vehicle has several hundred thousand miles and the funds will pay for a newer vehicle.

McBride said the vehicle will allow the department to be more visible. The department will be able to mount the vehicle with lights. The current vehicle has halogen lights and the new vehicle will be equipped with LED lights.

This is the first grant in a long time for the fire department, McBride said.

East Spencer Fire Department has received $51,240.94 in grant funds since the grant program began 27 years ago.

“Fire and rescue organizations protect our communities large and small, across North Carolina, but sometimes their budgets don’t grow with their responsibilities,” said Commissioner of Insurance Wayne Goodwin.

Goodwin thanked McBride and his department for all of their hard work and dedication.

“Our emergency service personnel should be supported with the best equipment and supplies needed to do their jobs correctly and safely,” Goodwin said.

This grant is one of several the town has received within the last year including $2.4 million to repair it’s aging water/sewer system. The town is also working on rehabilitating Royal Giants Park and has recently received $3,000 from local company Waste Management toward those efforts.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.