State leaders deliver grant checks to two Eastern Carolina fire departments Monday totaling almost $46,000.
The first responders put themselves in harms way almost every day to help protect our communities in Eastern North Carolina and statewide. Some of those departments are now struggling to retain members.
The North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and Fire Marshal Mike Causey was in Jones County Monday. He spent the afternoon visiting insurance agencies and local fire stations. One of the main items on his agenda was addressing some of the concerns among the local firefighters.
An aging volunteer force is a concern and yearly physicals are recommeneded. Trenton Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Kyle Koonce said, "We don't require a physical every year but most of the guys get a physical every year, but those are the main things. Just making sure you're still in shape, limiting yourself to what you can and can't do."