Three Hickory firefighters promoted
The following firefighters have been promoted.
Lucas Carter (Captain)
Lucas Carter has been promoted to Fire Captain. Carter began his career in July 2009. Through the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission, he holds the certifications of Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials Operations, Technical Rescuer, Emergency Vehicle Driver, Driver Operator Pumps and Aerials, Rapid Intervention, Fire & Life Safety Educator Level III, Fire Inspector Level II, Fire Officer II, and Fire Investigator Technician. He has been an Emergency Medical Technician since 2005 and is also certified as a Level II Fire Service Instructor. In December 2022, Carter graduated from Fayetteville State University with a bachelor’s degree in Fire and Emergency Services Administration. Carter is a member of the Peer Support Team. Lucas is a father and loves spending time with family and friends.
Matt Wingate (Captain)
Matt Wingate has been promoted to Captain. Wingate was hired as a firefighter and has moved through the ranks. He is certified as a Level II Firefighter, Hazardous Materials Operations Level, and Technical Rescuer with specialty in vehicle rescue through the NC Fire & Rescue Commission. He is also certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and as a Level II Fire Service Instructor. Wingate has completed Fire Officer Levels I and II. He is married to Loretta and they have two daughters, Alexa and Cortney.
Luis Valladolid (Fire Apparatus Operator)
Luis Valladolid has been promoted to Fire Apparatus Operator. Hired as a firefighter in January 2019, Valladolid’s fire service career started in 2008 in the United States Marine Corps as an aircraft firefighter and rescue specialist. He was deployed in support of OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) 2009 to 2010. After an honorable discharge in 2012, he began working for the City of Conover as a firefighter/EMT. During 2012-2013, he conducted an internship at Mooresville Fire & Rescue, which consisted of installing smoke alarms during canvassing events. Valladolid also served as a volunteer firefighter with St. Stephen’s Fire Department and worked part-time for Catawba County EMS. In 2017, he accepted a contract for the Antarctic Fire Department and after fulfilling that commitment, he applied for Hickory Fire Department. He is certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) through the North Carolina Office of Emergency Services and a Level II Firefighter through the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission. He has completed training in many areas, including Hazardous Materials certification awareness and operations levels, and Aircraft Rescue Firefighter. He is a 2009 graduate of the Department of Defense Fire Academy. Valladolid is certified in Technical Rescue in the areas of Vehicle, Trench, Water Rescue, and Structural Collapse. Valladolid is certified as a Fire Service Instructor Levels I and II, and an Aircraft Rescue Firefighter and Emergency Vehicle Driver Operator and in Driver Operator Pumps. He is married to Kimberly Ellis and they are expecting their first child.