Five fire departments in Robeson County are being awarded funding for new equipment from federal and state government programs.

The departments are: Smyrna Township VFD, Orrum Township VFD, Pine Terrace VFD, Rowland Rural Fire Department Inc. and Saddletree VFD.

Smyrna’s fire department has received a federal loan and a grant for a new fire truck, and the other four departments will be getting grants from North Carolina’s 2009 Volunteer Fire Department Fund.

U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre said in a statement Monday that the Smyrna Township VFD has received a $114,450 federal low-interest loan and a $61,600 federal grant to purchase the fire truck.

“Our volunteer fire departments are always on call to help protect our homes, businesses, and communities,” McIntrye said in the statement.

The new top mount pumper truck will enable the fire department to improve its efficiency and possibly improve its insurance rating, which could mean lower insurance rates for Smyrna residents.

An improvement in insurance rating would mean insurance premium reductions for each of the 2,238 residents in the fire district.

The four departments to earn state funds were announced Monday by North Carolina’s Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Wayne Goodwin. The money will be used for equipment.

The Orrum Township fire department was awarded a $4,961.50 grant.

The check will be mailed to Chief Lenwood Hunt The equipment is purchased using matching funds and must be approved by the Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal.

The Orrum Township department has received a total of $50,375.98 from the Volunteer Fire Department Fund in the program’s 22-year existence.

The Pine Terrace fire department was awarded a $9,130.73 grant. The check will be mailed to Chief David T. Allen. The department has received a total of $76,339.21 from the fund since the program began.

The Rowland Rural Fire Department Inc. was awarded a $5,683.13 grant. The check will be mailed to Chief Joe McGirt. The Rowland department has received a total of $89,342.09 from the fund.

The Saddletree fire department was awarded a $7,692.73 grant. The check will be mailed to Chief Willie Bell Jr. The Saddletree department has received a total of $65,303.37 from the fund since the program began.

“Fire and rescue organizations protect our communities large and small across North Carolina, but sometimes their budgets don’t grow with their responsibilities,” Goodwin said in a statement. “Our emergency service personnel should be supported with the best equipment and supplies needed to do their jobs correctly and safely.’’.

The General Assembly created the Volunteer Fire Department Fund in 1988 to help volunteer units raise money for equipment and supplies. The grant funds must be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to an approved amount, by money raised locally.

Since the program’s inception, the Department of Insurance has distributed more than $65 million to volunteer fire departments across the state.