Two eastern Carolina fire departments are expanding their reach with new substations.
The new substation for Hugo Volunteer Fire Department goes into operation Monday, while a groundbreaking ceremony for Ayden Volunteer Fire Department was held Sunday afternoon. That substation should be operational by late spring.
Hugo Chief Johnny Craft says the substation on Grifton Hugo Road, the department's third, will allow for faster response time. "It'll help cut down the response time by two or three minutes. It's going to put us from four to six miles down to one to three miles," Craft said.
President of the Ayden Rural Fire Association, Dale Mills, says the new substation on NC 102 will also save people up to $1,000 dollars in homeowners insurance. Craft says their new substation will also cause people to save money on insurance premiums. In addition to saving money, the departments are happy with the increase in community involvement.
"The main thing is community interaction. That the firefighters for this station will be their neighbors and their friends who live next to them or close by who can administer help quicker," Craft said.
Mills says the substation in Ayden is being built tax-free thanks to donations and donated land. Craft says their substation was funded by tax revenue from the fire tax in their district as well as donations. They are planning to hold an open house this spring for the community.