By By JONATHAN CLAYBORNE
Staff Writer
CHOCOWINITY — A nonprofit’s gift of a potentially life-saving thermal-imaging camera to Chocowinity Volunteer Fire Department turned out to be something of a family affair.
In a brief, informal proceeding, the VFD recently received the device from 500 for Life, a nonprofit entity that supplies the cameras to fire departments that can’t afford them.
The gift came to the fire department’s door thanks, in part, to Bill MacAdam, a resident of the Cypress Landing community.
MacAdam suggested that the VFD look into seeking one of the cameras through 500 for Life, said Jenn Weyand, spokeswoman for the nonprofit.
And Weyand should know — MacAdam is her father, a fact she revealed when asked why she made the trip from Atlanta, Ga., for last week’s presentation.
“My father is to thank for all of this,” she said.
MacAdam spoke to VFD Chief Tommy Pendley about 500 for Life’s grants, and advised the department on how to apply, Weyand said.
“It’s a great device to save lives, both firemen’s lives and civilians’ lives,” MacAdam said. “The best part about it is it’s been donated.”
Asked for comment, Pendley said there weren’t enough words to express his thoughts on 500 for Life’s contribution, adding that he couldn’t ask for anything better.
He said his department’s members looked forward to taking advantage of the training course offered by 500 for Life ahead of deploying the camera in the field.
“Obviously, it’s going to help save many lives,” said Chocowinity Mayor Jimmy Mobley.
The mayor thanked MacAdam for helping make the town aware of 500 for Life, and commended the fire department for its work.
“They’re a very dedicated group of firemen,” he said.
State Rep. Arthur Williams passed on special thanks to MacAdam, and indicated the approximately $10,000 camera is beyond the budgets of most provincial fire departments.
“Rural communities certainly cannot afford them,” he said.
According to a news release, 500 for Life has given thermal-imaging devices to 38 fire departments across 25 states.
“Recipients are selected based on need,” the release reads. “500 for Life partners with Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company’s Heritage Program and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to qualify and prioritize fire departments in need of thermal imaging cameras based on criteria such as the number of fires fought each year and the amount of funding available from other sources.”