Richmond County Rockingham Rescue is rolling out on new wheels these days.

Chief Scott Waters said they have obtained a new rescue truck for their operations.

The Ford F-450 4 x 4 was purchased with the assistance of a $25,000 matching grant from the N.C. Department of Insurance, Office of State Fire Marshall.

A bank loan was obtained to provide the local match.

“We are grateful to the NCDOI for the grant which will enable us to better serve the community,” Waters said.

The squad has received $51,517 over the years from the NCDOI.

“Fire and rescue personnel are on the front lines of responding to emergencies and protecting us every day,” said NCDOI Commissioner Wayne Goodwin said. “They should be supported with the best equipment and supplies needed to do their jobs right and safely.”

Goodwin said his office will continue to support fire and rescue organizations across the state. He urged all such organizations to submit requests for grants to his office.

Waters said Rockingham Rescue has another pending grant with the NCDOI which will be a $2,500 matching grant for equipment.

Goodwin said the NCDOI has been providing grants to volunteer organizations since the N.C. General Assembly created the Rescue/EMS Grant Fund in 1989.

During former Commissioner Jim Long’s tenure in office, the NCDOI distributed a total of $79.2 million in grant money to fire and rescue departments throughout the state.

Organizations in Richmond County have received $719,354 of that amount.

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Waters said the Steel Wheels Motorcycle Club has joined with the squad to hold a benefit dinner for it at the squad building from 11 a.m. until on Feb. 28 at the station at 1004 Rockingham Road, Rockingham.

The event will feature barbecue and fish at $6 a plate, eat in or take out.

All proceeds will benefit the squad.

n Contact reporter Tom MacCallum at 997-3111, ext. 15; e-mail tmaccallum@yourdailyjournal.com.