North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will honor the live-saving actions of Wendell firefighters during a visit to Wendell’s Station No. 3 on Monday, April 18.
The commissioner will present a SAVE Awards to the department, which goes to individuals or organizations who go above and beyond the call of duty to save lives.
On January 23, 2022, Wendell firefighters responded to a structure fire in a remote location on Allegro Rd. Upon arriving responders found heavy smoke showing and fire in a bedroom, and the home’s occupant outside, who relayed that fire alarms had awakened her to escape. The fire was later extinguished by the responders on site. The occupant and family credited smoke alarms firefighters had earlier installed and that were received from the NC Office of State Fire Marshal for saving the occupants' life.
The commissioner will also distribute surplus lines grant checks to three fire or rescue departments as he travels to Youngsville and Oxford on Monday afternoon.
These checks are the result of contributions made by the North Carolina Surplus Lines Association (NCSLA) to help firefighters and rescue squads in North Carolina.
“Thanks to the great work of the Wendell firefighters for proactively installing alarms, an otherwise fatal fire was likely averted,” Commissioner Causey, who is also the State Fire Marshal, said. “It is also an honor for me to personally be able to present these surplus lines checks to hard working units in Franklin and Granville counties. This money will help needy fire and rescue departments to better protect their communities.”
The media is invited to attend and cover these events. Local, county and state officials will also be in attendance.
Here is Commissioner Causey’s public schedule for Monday, April 18:
1 p.m. – Wendell Fire Department No. 3 6120 Taylor Road, Wendell, N.C. 27591 (SAVE Award presentation) 2:15 p.m. – Youngsville Rescue Services 215 NW Railroad St., Youngsville, N.C. 27596 (Commissioner Causey will present NC Surplus Lines checks to the Youngsville Rescue and EMS) 3:30 p.m. – Granville County Expo and Convention Center 4185 US Hwy. 15, Oxford, NC 27565 (Commissioner Causey will present NC Surplus Lines checks to the Virgilina Volunteer Fire Association and Granville County Search and Recovery)