Members, in an effort to increase transparency we will be trying to do a better job of sharing information about projects and accomplishments of our organization. There are many projects and tasks constantly in progress in addition to the day-to-day operations of the fire department, some seen and some not so seen that our members and citizens in our community may not be aware of. Here’s a short list of some of the accomplishments of our organization in 2022. I’m positive there are several items I’ve left off of this list. If you can think of any, please add to it.
– Answered 441 calls and accumulated 7,971.5 training hours as a department
– Placed Brush 1 in service
– Purchased Truck 33
– Repaired Squad 1
– Refurbished Rescue 3
– Placed new boat trailer in service
– New graphics on Boat 1 & Trailer
– Upgraded network and WiFi at Station 1
– Developed New Commendation Bar Scheme for uniforms
– Revamped website (new apparatus photos, station photos, Officer and Board photos)
– Replaced certification whiteboard in meeting room at Station 1 with a digital certification and training announcement board
– Awarded Smoke Alarm Canvassing Grant – 48 smoke detectors from OSFM
– Awarded Water Grant from Anheuser-Busch and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)
– Awarded Liquid IV Grant
– Awarded DripDrop Grant
– Awarded Lenoir County VFD Relief Fund Grant – $25,000
– Awarded NCOSFM 2022 Covid-19 Financial Relief Grant – $10,000
– Zsakiyah Sutton received the NC Insurance Commissioner’s Award for Heroism for her actions to save her young brother from the fire in Hickory Hills in 2021
– SAFRE Conference – 3 members attended
– Firefighter Certification – 3 members completed
– NC RIC Certification – 1 member completed
– Basic Wildland Fire Suppression Certification – 3 members completed
– NC D/O Aerials Certification – 8 members completed
– NC D/O Pumps Certification – 3 members completed
– NC D/O Mobile Water Supply Certification – 2 members completed
– NC Instructor II Certification – 1 member completed
– NC Fire Officer II Certification – 1 member completed
– Instructor Qualification – 2 members completed (Firefighter, D/O Aerials, D/O Pumps)
– Supported several community events – (Ironclad Marathon, BBQ Fest on the Neuse, Trunk or Treat at Bethel, Trunk or Treat at Grainger Stadium, Kinston Christmas Parade, La Grange Christmas Parade, Cub Scout Pack 41 visit, 5th Annual Red Cross Blood Drive)
We had a very productive year in 2022 and we’ve already started 2023 strong!
Thank you all for your continued dedication to our organization and the community we serve. There are certainly opportunities to serve if you would like to get more involved in the organizational workings of the fire department. If you have a desire, please reach out and I will do my best to point you in the right direction or work to get you involved.
– Chris Decker