West Rowan, Granite Quarry fire department receive grants

Two Rowan County fire departments have received grants from the state's 2009 Volunteer Fire Department Fund, according to a press release from the office of N.C. Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Wayne Goodwin.

The West Rowan Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $15,000 grant, the press release said. The Granite Quarry Fire Department will receive $2,000.

John Lee Morrison is chief of West Rowan. David Morris is chief of Granite Quarry.

The departments will use the money to buy needed equipment. The grants require matching funds and the purchase must be approved by the Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal.

"Fire and rescue organizations protect our communities large and small across North Carolina, but sometimes their budgets don't grow with their responsibilities," Goodwin said. "Our emergency service personnel should be supported with the best equipment and supplies needed to do their jobs correctly and safely."

The West Rowan Volunteer Fire Department has received a total of $48,836 from the Volunteer Fire Department Fund since the program began in 1988. The Granite Quarry Fire Department has received a total of $15,692 in that time.

The General Assembly created the Volunteer Fire Department Fund to help volunteer units raise money for equipment and supplies. The grant funds must be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to an approved amount, by money raised locally to purchase necessary equipment.

Since the program's inception, the Department of Insurance has distributed more than $65 million to volunteer fire departments across the state.