North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey on Thursday, May 5, will honor 11 High Point firefighters who performed lifesaving rescues earlier this year.
In addition, Commissioner Causey, who is also the State Fire Marshal, will present awards to a couple who have served the Southeast Volunteer Fire Department since 1988.
Commissioner Causey will also present grant checks to first responder organizations during his visit to Guilford and Randolph counties.
To cap off the day, Commissioner Causey will continue his distracted driving awareness efforts by throwing the ceremonial first pitch at the Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball game against the Asheville Tourists.
High Point SAVE Awards
Commissioner Causey will present SAVE Awards to firefighters who rescued people from an apartment fire on Feb. 28 and a house fire on March 4.
Firefighters encountered heavy fire and smoke when they arrived on the scene of a three-story apartment complex on Copperstone Drive on Feb. 28. Occupants were hanging out the second and third story windows screaming for help. Firefighters used ladders to rescue five people and a dog from the fire. Commissioner Causey will present SAVE Awards to Capt. Chip Jordan, Fire Equipment Operators Chuck Wilson and Nathan Zebron and Firefighters Zack Powers and John Gough for their efforts in the rescue.
When firefighters arrived at a Lexington Avenue house fire in the early morning hours of March 4, they were told that the homeowner might still be in the smoke-filled house. They gained entry to the house and preformed lifesaving measures on the victim until EMS responders arrived. Commissioner Causey will present SAVE Awards to Capt. Orlando Craven, Capt. Gray George, and Firefighters Jamie Caulder, Joseph Rathbone, Ben Forrest and Jake Dykhoff for their efforts in this save.
SAVE Awards are given to professionals who go beyond the call of duty in their job.
Commissioner’s Awards for firefighters
William Lee Allison and his wife, Robin Allison, began their volunteer service with the Southeast Volunteer Fire Department as a young, determined couple in 1988. They’ve continued their service for 34 years. The couple joined the fire department and have held numerous positions in the department over the years. Their continuous service has been an integral part of the department’s growth and development. Commissioner’s Awards go to individuals and businesses that have significantly impacted their organization.
Surplus Lines grant checks
Commissioner Causey will present $5,000 grant checks to the Guilford County Association of SCUBA Personnel and the Ash-Rand Rescue Squad. These checks are a result of a $250,000 contribution made by the N.C. Surplus Lines Association to help firefighters and rescue squads in North Carolina.
Grasshoppers first pitch
Commissioner Causey will continue making a “pitch” for distracted driving awareness at the Greensboro Grasshoppers game against the Asheville Tourists Thursday night. Commissioner Causey is joining the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina in this effort to encourage drivers to concentrate on driving and avoid the pitfalls of distracted driving.
Here is Commissioner Causey’s public schedule for Thursday:
8:00 a.m. – Pleasant Garden Fire Department 4814 Pleasant Garden Road, Pleasant Garden, N.C. 27313 (Surplus Lines grant check presentation to the Guilford County Association of SCUBA Personnel) 9:00 a.m. – High Point Fire Department 434 S. Elm St., High Point, N.C. 27260 (Present SAVE Awards to 11 High Point firefighters) 10:30 a.m. – Ash-Rand Rescue Squad Inc. 805 S. Cox St., Asheboro, N.C. 27203 (Surplus Lines grant check presentation to the Ash-Rand Rescue Squad) 11:30 a.m. – Southeast Volunteer Fire Department 6012 Liberty Road, Climax, N.C. 27233 (Present Commissioner’s Award to William and Robin Allison) 6:00 p.m. – First National Bank Field 408 Bellemeade St., Greensboro, N.C. 27401 (Ceremonial first pitch at Grasshoppers-Tourists baseball game)