The Crains Creek Volunteer Fire Department Inc. has received a $1,555 grant through the 2010 Volunteer Fire Department Fund from the State of North Carolina.

The check will be mailed to Chief Kenneth R. Mackey to be used by the department to purchase needed equipment. The equipment is purchased using matching funds and must be approved by the Department of Insurance, Office of State Fire Marshal.

"Fire and rescue organizations protect our communities large and small across North Carolina, but sometimes their budgets don't grow with their responsibilities," said state Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin, who is also the state fire marshal. "Our emergency service personnel should be supported with the best equipment and supplies needed to do their jobs correctly and safely.

"I know the Crains Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. will use this money to serve their community even better. "Thank you, Chief Kenneth R. Mackey, for all of your hard work and thanks to your dedicated staff."

Crains Creek Volunteer Fire Department Inc. has received a total of $33,980 from the Volunteer Fire Department Fund in the past 23 years since the program began, according to a news release.

The General Assembly created the Volunteer Fire Department Fund in 1988 to help volunteer units raise money for equipment and supplies. The grant funds must be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to an approved amount, by monies raised locally to purchase necessary equipment.

Since the program's inception, the Department of Insurance has distributed more than $73 million to volunteer fire departments across the state.