Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey to honor firefighters, 1st responders who helped save teenager’s life

Raleigh -- Press Release Apr 27, 2021 North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey on Wednesday will honor

firefighters and first responders who helped rescue a 14-year-old boy from a fire in Iredell County in September 2020.

State Fire Marshal to deliver rescue grants during Wednesday visit to Catawba, Iredell counties
 
Commissioner Causey, who is also the State Fire Marshal, will present ceremonial grant checks to rescue squads in Catawba and Iredell counties during the day.

Eight firefighters and 911 dispatchers who teamed up to help save the teenage boy from a fire will receive SAVE Awards, which go to people who go above and beyond the call of duty.

The firefighters receiving SAVE Awards are Lt. Thomas Alexander along with firefighters Brandon Hedrick, Lee Benton and Matt Harpe.

Dispatcher Cinthia Rios, who stayed on the phone with the teenage boy until help arrived, will be joined by Lynn Nicholson, Rachel Dufault and LaShareca Harrison in receiving SAVE Awards for their roles in helping out in the rescue.

During a stop in Catawba, Commissioner Causey will award a ceremonial $24,625 matching grant to the Catawba Rescue Squad. Later in the day, he will present a $21,645 check to the North Iredell Rescue Squad.

The grants are part of a statewide $1.6 million program assisting 120 rescue squads.

Here is Commissioner Causey’s public schedule for the day:

9:30 a.m. – Catawba Rescue Squad (grant presentation)
300 Rosenwald School Drive, Catawba, N.C.
 
10:10 a.m. – Iredell County 911 Center (SAVE Awards)
404 Bristol Drive, Statesville, N.C.
 
11:15 a.m. – North Iredell Rescue Squad (grant presentation)
1538 Tabor Road, Harmony, N.C.