Hickory Fire Captain retires

After 30 years in the fire service, Captain Doug Price has retired from the Hickory Fire Department. He was hired on August 22, 1994, as a firefighter and moved through the ranks. He was promoted to Firefighter II, Senior Firefighter, Apparatus Operator, and to Captain. In September 2017, Price was promoted to Captain and worked in the Training Division for three years. In 2020, he returned to shift work as Captain on Engine No. 5, a position he held until his retirement.  

Price is certified as a level II firefighter, and hazardous materials (operations level) through the North Carolina Fire & Rescue Commission. He is also certified as a level II Fire Service Instructor and teaches at Western Piedmont Community College. Price has also completed specialized courses and is certified as an Instructor in the areas of Live Burn and LP Gas through Western Piedmont Community College. He is also a Flashover Simulator Instructor. In 2001, he was certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-D) through the Office of Emergency Medical Services.    
 
In 2007, Price completed the National Fire Academy’s Leadership program, and in 2012, he finished Fire Officer training in levels I and II. He has certification as a Fire & Life Safety Educator. Price has also completed the Advanced Firefighter certification program through the NC State Firefighter’s Association. He serves as a volunteer firefighter with Valdese Fire Department, where he began in 1985. Prior to coming to the fire department, he worked for Valdese from 1989 until 1994, as a fire apparatus operator. He is married to Marnie and has two sons, Ryan and Dillon. 

During retirement, Captain Price will be spending time with family, riding motorcycles, and camping.