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New Hires for Hickory Fire Department

New Hires for Hickory Fire Department

The following persons have been hired as firefighters for the Hickory Fire Department.

Kollin Byers 
Kollin Byers has been hired as a firefighter with the Hickory Fire Department.  Kollin started the fire service in 2017 where he worked with both Cary Fire department and Western Wake Fire Rescue.  Byers is certified as levels 1 and 2 firefighter.  He is also certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and Hazardous materials operations level with specialties in mass and technical decontamination as well as air monitoring.  Byers is a graduate of the NC RIT school and is certified as a Technical Rescuer and Vehicle Rescuer. He lives in Cleveland County and currently works part time at Boiling Springs Fire Rescue as an Engineer.

Elijah Frizsell 
Elijah Frizsell has been hired with the Hickory Fire Department. Elijah began as a volunteer with Bethlehem Community Fire and Rescue and has continued to serve with them for the past two years. He is certified as a level II firefighter and in hazardous materials in both awareness and operations through the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission.  He is also certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) through the North Carolina Office of the Emergency Services. He is a class of 2017 South Caldwell High School graduate. 

Michael Phillips
Michael Philips has been hired as a firefighter with Hickory Fire Department.  He began his fire career in 2019 with the Boger City Fire Department in Lincoln County and was part of the merge with the City of Lincolnton Fire Department.  He continues to serve part time at South Fork Fire Department.  Phillips worked 7 years for Med Center Air as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and a Dispatcher before transitioning to a career firefighter.  He is certified as an NC Firefighter as level 1&2, an EMT, Hazardous Materials and Technical Rescuer with TR-Vehicle Rescue. He is planning to graduate from Liberty University next year with a Bachelor’s in Music.  He is married to Christina and they have a daughter, AllieMae.   Outside of work, he loves being involved in his church and spending time outdoors hiking, camping, and kayaking. 

Graham Triplett
Graham Triplett been hired as a firefighter with the Hickory Fire Department.   He began his career as a junior firefighter with Hudson Fire Department and has continued to serve as a member for three years.  Triplett is certified as a level II firefighter and in Hazardous Materials thorough the North Carolina Fire & Rescue Commission.  He is also certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) through the North Carolina Office of the Emergency Services.  He enjoys spending time outdoors and with his family and friends.    

Cade Watson 
Cade Watson has also been hired as a firefighter.  Watson is from Caldwell county and got his start in the fire service through the Caldwell County schools Fire Academy program.  At the age of seventeen, he started volunteering and began working with Hudson Volunteer Fire department.   Watson is certified as a level 2 firefighter and works part time at Gamewell Fire Department.  He attended Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute to become certified as an EMT.