Hickory Fire Department announces new hires
The following persons have been hired as firefighters for the Hickory Fire Department.
Jake Bridges
Jake Bridges has been hired as firefighter. He completed the Gaston College Fire Academy in 2022 and is certified as a level 2 firefighter. Bridge is certified in Hazardous Materials both Awareness and Operations levels through the North Carolina Fire & Rescue Commission and in Technical Rescue. He is also certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) through the North Carolina Office of Emergency Services. Jake works part-time at the Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department. Bridges’ family consists of his mother, Laura.
Katie Baute
The Hickory Fire Department recently hired Katie Baute as a firefighter. In 2023, Baute began her firefighting career as a volunteer with Mountain View Fire Department and she also works part-time at Pumpkin-Center Fire Department. She completed the Cleveland County Fire Academy in 2023 certifying as a level 2 firefighter, Emergency Vehicle Driver, and in Hazardous Materials both Awareness and Operations levels through the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission. Baute received her bachelor's in Elementary Education from Lenoir-Rhyne University. She is married to Kacy Baute.
Adam Cline
Adam Cline has been hired on as a firefighter with the Hickory Fire Department. He started his firefighting career as a Junior Firefighter in 2013 at Propst Crossroads Fire Department. Cline completed the CVCC Fire Academy in 2019 certifying as a level 2 firefighter and in Hazardous Materials in both Awareness and Operations levels through the North Carolina Fire & Rescue Commission and in Technical Rescue. He is also certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) through the North Carolina Office of Emergency Services. His family consists of his father, Michael, mother, Mitzie, and sister, Erin.
Matthew Kay
Matthew Kay has been hired on as a firefighter with the Hickory Fire Department. He started his firefighting career at the Fallston Volunteer Fire Department in 2017. Kay completed the Cleveland County Fire Academy in 2018 certifying as a level 2 firefighter and in Hazardous Materials in both Awareness and Operations levels through the North Carolina Fire & Rescue Commission. He is also certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) through the North Carolina Office of Emergency Services, Technical Rescue, and Instructor level 1. He is married to Elizabeth.
Levi Robbins
Levi Robbins has been hired on as a firefighter with the Hickory Fire Department. He started his firefighting career as a Junior Firefighter in 2011 at North Catawba Fire-Rescue Department. Robbins is certified as a level 2 firefighter and in Hazardous Materials in both Awareness and Operations levels through the North Carolina Fire & Rescue Commission and in Technical Rescue. He is also certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) through the North Carolina Office of Emergency Services. Robbins is a certified Fire Instructor Level 2. He has an associate degree in Emergency Management from Caldwell Community College, and an associate degree in Fire Protection Technology from Cleveland Community College. His family consists of his father, Jason, mother, Angela, and brothers, Caleb and Jacob.
Bailey Yarborough
Bailey Yarborough has been hired on as a firefighter with the Hickory Fire Department. Yarborough completed the Greenville Technical College Fire Academy in 2017 certifying as a level 2 firefighter and in Hazardous Materials in both Awareness and Operations levels through the North Carolina Fire & Rescue Commission and in Technical Rescue. He is also certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) through the North Carolina Office of Emergency Services, Driver Operator, Fire Officer level 1, and Fire Service Instructor 1. Yarborough is married to Alyssa and they have a son named, John Michael.