State Insurance Commissioner and Fire Marshal Mike Causey visited several departments in both Pitt and Greene Counties Monday. One stop was at the Winterville Community Fire Department where Causey presented firefighters with a nearly $30,000 dollar grant check. Volunteers say the money will go towards replacing air tanks and buying new breathing equipment. Causey says providing grant funds to rural departments is more important than ever because many depend on fundraisers to buy and maintain equipment. Causey says, “It’s been a tough year for our volunteer fire departments because a lot of these fundraising events had to be canceled due to the coronavirus situation.” Causey also visited the Grimesland and Farmville Fire Departments in Pitt County along with the Jason Rural Fire Association in Greene County.