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Make our communities safer by boosting support for firefighters and emergency personnel.

Here's My commitment to fire and rescue personnel throughout North Carolina

There are over 1,700 fire and rescue departments in our state. The importance of having well-trained safety personnel is a critical part of the Commissioner's responsibility. I cannot pretend to have a background in either field, but that does not mean that I cannot relate to the important jobs each play in communities around the state.

My hometown, Banner Elk, is serviced by a volunteer fire department and rescue squad who have kept the homes and businesses and people in that small community safe. Today, I live less than a half mile from Fire Station No. 2 in Durham and see trucks and personnel roar by my house daily. It is too important a job - and I have nothing but absolute respect for those men and women working in every corner of North Carolina.

As Commissioner, I will fight for every department, every person working in those departments and the needs of each department, as that is an essential part of my job and one I take very seriously. More importantly, I promise you this:

• I will not make changes in the leadership or the staff of the Office of State Fire Marshal. I have a high level of respect for their work and their commitment to our fire personnel statewide.



• I will strongly advocate for a statewide mandate for fire alarms in all rental residential units and give serious consideration to the proposed sprinkler mandate for new residential housing construction.



• I will get the equipment your community needs by boosting grants and other programs and passionately advocate for your department with the legislature and our state's leaders.



• I will make sure that we take care of firefighters who are hurt on the job and that we take care of the family members of firefighters when they are hurt or, God forbid, killed in the line of duty.



• I will never wear the uniform of a firefighter if I am not qualified to be one myself. Your job is too important to play politics with, and I never will do that as Insurance Commissioner.

We need a Commissioner who is focused on being Insurance Commissioner and is not running for something else. If that's the kind of Commissioner you want and not someone who will inject politics into the serious business of firefighting and rescue, please cast your vote for me and encourage others to do the same.

On day one, I will be prepared to be Insurance Commissioner and will spend every day fighting for our citizens by making health care the Department's first priority, keeping home and auto insurance rates low (especially for good drivers), and stop people who prey on our citizens with fake products and empty promises.

If you would like to volunteer and help elect a Commissioner committed to working for you, please email firerescue or call my campaignlain.