Hickory promotes three firefighters

The following firefighters have been promoted.          

Michael Sherrill (Captain)
The Hickory Fire Department has promoted Michael Sherrill to the rank of Fire Captain. Sherrill is certified in the following areas: Firefighter Level II, Technical Rescuer, Hazardous Materials Awareness, and Operations. As well as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), Sherrill also holds certification as a Paramedic. He is qualified as a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) Instructor, and a Level II Fire Service Instructor. He has completed training as a Fire Officer I and II, and a Haz-Mat Technician. Sherrill also has Rescue training in areas of Vehicle Machinery, High Angle Rescue, Structural Collapse, Trench, Water and Tower Rscue. He has an associate's degree from Cleveland Community College in Fire Protection Technology. He is married to Casey and they have a son, Lucas, and a daughter, Emmalyn. 

Cory Lail (Captain - Training)
Cory Lail has been promoted to Captain and will serve in the training division. Lail was hired as a firefighter in October 2009. He is a graduate of the Wilson Community College Fire Academy program and is certified as a Level II Firefighter, a Technical Rescuer, in Hazardous Materials at the Operations level through the North Carolina Fire & Rescue Commission. In 2008, he was certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) through the North Carolina Office of Emergency Services. He is a qualified Fire Service Instructor and has been teaching fire training classes since 2012. He is also a qualified Rapid Intervention Crew Instructor. Lail has completed and is certified as Fire Officer 1 and 2. Using his training skills, he has served as a lead instructor for the Catawba Valley Community College Fire Academy since 2019. Among numerous training classes, Lail has graduated with an associate's degree in Fire Protection Technology and an associate's degree in Public Service Administration.   

Roy Sauceda (Fire Apparatus Operator)
Roy Sauceda has been promoted to Fire Apparatus Operator. Hired as a firefighter in July 2017, he holds certifications through the NC Fire & Rescue Commission as a Level II Firefighter, Hazardous Materials Operations, Fire Service Instructor, and Technical Rescuer in the areas of Ropes, Vehicle Machinery, and Trench Rescue. He is also certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). Sauceda has also completed Fire Officer Level I certification and training in confined space and swift water rescue. He is working toward an associate’s degree in Fire Science Technology. He has two sons, Fisher and Huck. He is a volunteer with New Hope Fire Department and enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, and fishing.