Craven County commissioners on Sept. 2 approved a $370,750 budget amendment to provide local matching funds for multiple Department of Insurance grant awards to volunteer fire departments across the county.

Stanley Kite, speaking for emergency services, introduced chiefs and presidents from several volunteer departments who described equipment and protective gear they plan to purchase if match funds are provided. Chiefs said awards announced by the state included: Little Swiss Creek (listed as Little Swift/Swiss Creek in materials) $40,000, Vanceboro $20,090, Cope (listed as Cope Shooting) $30,000, Dover $30,000, Fort Barnwell $40,000 and Township 9 $25,000; total match requests presented to the board amounted to $370,750. Little Swiss Creek's chief said the department will use the funds as the county match to purchase a Kenworth chassis for a remounted equipment truck; the chassis price was given as $110,957.

Other departments listed turnout gear, radios, hydraulic rescue tools, hose and thermal imaging cameras among planned purchases. Chief Greg Milligan said thermal imaging cameras help firefighters search in smoke, find hot spots and locate missing people. Chiefs noted some items account for sales tax, shipping and tariff costs in their totals.

After presentations, a commissioner corrected a typographical error in the agenda narrative (Vanceboro match listed as $2,090; the chief said the correct figure is $20,090). A motion to approve the aggregated budget amendment passed by roll call vote.

Why it matters: The Department of Insurance grants reduce the capital burden on small, volunteer departments by paying a portion of equipment costs; local matches allow departments to obtain state equipment awards that support fire and rescue capabilities for rural and volunteer-run districts.

Details and next steps: The board approved the $370,750 amendment by roll call. Departments may proceed with purchases once grant award documentation and local match funding are in place.