Photo Gallery | Hickory hires new firefighters

Submitted by Jessica Sells, Web Producer

Friday, February 8th, 2013, 5:32pm

Chris Allison

The Hickory Fire Department recently hired Chris Allison as a firefighter. Prior to employment with the Hickory Fire Department, Allison served as a volunteer firefighter with Hudson Volunteer Fire Department, where he has been a member for 15 years and currently serves as a Lieutenant. He is certificated as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) through the North Carolina Office of Emergency Services. Allison is also certified by NC Fire & Rescue Commission in the following areas: Firefighter level II, Hazardous Materials Operations Level and Technical Rescue. Allison also serves a Fire and Rescue Technical Instructor and teaches for Caldwell Community College. He is attending Coastal Carolina Community College to obtain a Fire Protection Technology Program. He is married to Kim and they have three children Lexi, Trevor, Avery, Landon and Zach.

Jonathan Fox

Jonathan Fox has been hired as a firefighter. Prior to employment with the Hickory Fire Department, he served as a volunteer firefighter with Bethlehem Community Fire & Rescue for 3 years and worked part-time with Newton Fire Department. Fox has certifications as a level II Firefighter, Hazardous Materials Operations level, and Technical Rescue through the NC Fire & Rescue Commission. He has also completed Emergency Vehicle Driver, Technical Rescue in the area of Confined Space and Trailer Towing classes. He has completed his training and is certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). His parents are Kathy and Michael Fox.

Thomas Hayes

The Hickory Fire Department recently hired Thomas Hayes as a firefighter. Before employment with the Hickory Fire Department, he served as a firefighter with Shelby Fire & Rescue for 4 years and 5 years with Polkville Volunteer Fire Department. Hayes is certified as a Level II firefighter, Hazardous Materials Operations level and Technical Rescue through the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission. He has also completed certification as an Emergency Vehicle Driver, Rapid intervention Team, Ropes Technical and NC Airport Firefighter. Hayes also completed the National Fire Academy Leadership I, II and III program. In 2005, he graduated from Burns High School and in 2009; he completed his degree in Fire Protection Technology through Gaston Community College. His family consists of Pam (mother) and Joe Seagle and Jeff (father) and Christa Hayes.

Ryan Helton

The Hickory Fire Department recently hired Ryan Helton as a firefighter. Helton has served 2 years as a volunteer firefighter with Lincolnton Fire Department and worked part time with Shelby Fire & Rescue. He is certified as a Level II firefighter through the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission, has the Operations level training in Hazardous Materials and is certified in Technical Rescue. Helton is currently attending Cleveland Community College to obtain an Associate degree in Fire Protection Technology. Helton has also worked to complete Emergency Vehicle Driver, NC Airport Firefighter and Technical Rescue in the areas of Ropes and Vehicle & Machinery Rescue. His parents are Larry and Faye Helton.

Russell Kruse

Russell Kruse has been hired as a firefighter with the Hickory Fire Department. Before employment with the department, he served as a volunteer firefighter with Claremont Fire Department for two years. Kruse has completed certifications in the area of Technical Rescue, Hazardous Materials Operations Levels and Firefighter level II. He has also completed certifications in the areas of Emergency Vehicle Driving, Hydraulics and Basic Pumps. He is also certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) through the Office of Emergency Services. His parents are Mary and Russ Kruse and he has a sister, Kelly.

Tyler Moore

The Hickory Fire Department recently hired Tyler Moore as a firefighter. For the past 5 years, Moore has been a firefighter with Lenoir Fire Department and a volunteer at Little River Fire Department for 7 years. Moore is certified as a Level II firefighter, Hazardous Materials Operations level and Technical Rescuer through the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission. Besides required training, he has also completed Emergency Vehicle Driver, Trailer Towing, and Chief 101 courses. Moore has also taken courses through the National Fire Academy including Leadership levels 1, 2, and 3 and Decision Making for Initial Company Operation and Strategies & Tactics for Initial Company Operations. He is attending Catawba Valley Community College to complete an Associate degree in Fire Protection Technology. His parents are Mike and Dee Moore and his brother is Elliot.

Michael Sherrill

Michael Sherrill was recently hired as a firefighter. Sherrill has been a member of Hudson Volunteer Fire Department for 6 years. Sherrill is certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and a Paramedic through the North Carolina Office of Emergency Services. Through the NC Fire & Rescue Commission, Sherrill has also completed training a level II firefighter, Hazardous Materials Operations level and Technical Rescue. He is married to Casey and they have a son, Lucas.