Lincolnton Fire Department Site (More Information)
Lincolnton Fire Department Apparatus
Michael H. Lee, EFO, CFO, MIFireE
Fire Chief
Chief Lee joined the Lincolnton Fire Department in 2008 after spending 15 years as a career firefighter for the City of Greensboro, N.C. Chief Lee graduated from John Wesley College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management and Ethics and holds the designation of Chief Fire Officer, through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. He is a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers and a member of the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Chief Lee maintains IFSAC certifications as a Level II Fire Officer, Level II Fire Instructor, Level II Firefighter, Level I Hazardous Materials Responder and Rescue Technician. Currently, Chief Lee holds N.C. State certifications as an Emergency Medical Technician-B (NCOEMS), Level I Fire Inspector, Structural Collapse Technician (NCEM), Swift Water Rescue Technician (Rescue 1), and Land Search (NASAR). Chief Lee is married to Suzanne with two sons, Chris and Matt.
Mitch Burgin, Assistant Chief
mitchburgin@ci.lincolnton.nc.us
Mitch has been with the department since 1980. He is a State Certified Level II Firefighter and a State Certified Fire Instructor. Chief Burgin has a degree in Fire Protection Technology at Gaston College. Mitch enjoys working with the public, especially kids. He is married to wife Lynne, and they have two children Matt and Colby.
Patrick King, Fire Marshal
patrickking@ci.lincolnton.nc.us
Patrick joined the fire department in 1990. He is a N. C. Certified Level II Firefighter, Level III Standard Certificate for Inspections, and a member of the Confined Space Rescue Team. Patrick has a degree in Fire Protection Technology at Gaston College. He is married to wife Jaquetta, and they have a daughter Madison.
Debbie Raby, Senior Administrative Support Specialist
debbieraby@ci.lincolnton.nc.us
Debbie has been with the fire department since 1989. She is responsible for the data entry into the N.C. State Fire Incident Reporting System. Her duties include maintaining training records, inventory,payroll and purchasing. She is married to husband Joey, and they have one daughter Samantha.
Bill Fortenberry, Fire Captain
billfortenberry@ci.lincolnton.nc.us
Bill has been with the department since 1989. He is a Certified Level II Firefighter, Level III Fire & Life Safety Educator and Level II Instructor. He is also a member of the Confined Space Rescue Team. Bill has obtained his Associate Degree in Fire Protection Technology. He is married to wife Kim, and they have two daughters Kylie and Lacey and one son Adam.
Ryan Heavner, Fire Captain
ryanheavner@ci.lincolnton.nc.us
Ryan started with the fire department in October 2001. He is a certified N. C. Level II Firefighter and Instructor. He is also an Emergency Medical Technician. Ryan is currently assigned as Captain of the C-Shift.
Shane Bowman, Fire Captain
Shane has been with the department since 2004. He is a N.C. Certified Level II Firefighter, a N.C. Level II Instructor, a N.C. Certified Emergency Medical Technician, and a Certified Driver/Aerial Operator. He is married to wife Lori and they have one child, Lauren.
John Barkley, Fire Engineer
John became a firefighter in March 1979. He is a N. C. Certified Level II Firefighter, N.C. Emergency Medical Technician, and a N.C. Certified Level II Fire & Life Safety Educator. He is also a member of the Confined Space Rescue Team. John enjoys working with the public and helping people. John has three sons, Jordan, Jared, and Grayson.
Lee Hansen, Fire Engineer
Lee became a career firefighter with the department in October 2001. He is a certified N.C. Level II Firefighter and a nationally certified Emergency Medical Technician. Lee has two children, Curtis and Melanie.
Kurt Boyles, Fire Engineer
Kurt has been with the department since 2004. He is a N.C. Certified Level II Firefighter, a Certified Emergency Medical Technician, and a Certified Driver/Aerial Operator. He is married to wife Ashley.
Mike Shrum, Fire Engineer
Mike joined the department in August 2002. e is a certified N.C. Level II Firefighter, Driver/Aerial Operator, N.C. Emergency Medical Technician, Rescue Technician, and Haz-Mat Ops. Mike is married to wife Sherry, and they have two sons, Kendall and Riley.
Rusty Reynolds, Fire Engineer
Rusty became a career firefighter with the department in 2007. He is a N.C. Level II Firefighter, N.C. Emergency Medical Technician, Driver/Aerial Operator, He is married to his wife Nikki, has one son Mason, and one daughter Emilee.
Tyler Swafford, Firefighter
Tyler became a career Firefighter with the department in 2008. He is a N.C. Level II Firefighter. Tyler is also NC Driver/Operator and Aerial Operator certified. Tyler has earned a degree in Fire Protection Technology from Gaston College.
Ben Harkey, Firefighter
Ben became a career Firefighter in 2007. He is a N.C. Level II irefighter, N.C. Emergency Medical Technician, Driver/Aerial Operator. Ben is married to wife Christy, and has one daughter.
Joe Fletcher, Firefighter
Joe became a career Firefighter with the department in 2009. Joe holds North Carolina certifications as a Firefighter II, Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, Technical Rescuer, Driver Operator, Aerial operator and Level 1 Hazardous Materials Responder. Joe is also certified as a Technical Rescuer- Ropes Specialist and also holds his Leadership III certification from the National Fire Academy. Joe is also a certified Child Safety Seat Technician through Safe Kids. Joe is also a certified Swiftwater Rescue Technician through Rescue 3 International. Joe is a graduate of the North Carolina Thermal Imaging School and the North Carolina Breathing Equipment School. Joe has an Associates Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Gaston College and a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science degree from Columbia Southern University. Joe is currently assigned to the B-shift.
Jeffrey Hurt, Firefighter
Jeffrey became a career firefighter with the department in 2007 . He is a N.C. Level II Firefighter, N.C Emergency Medical Technician, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, and Driver/Aerial Operator certified. Jeffrey is currently assigned to the C-Shift.
Volunteer Personnel
The Lincolnton Fire Department maintains a group of dedicated volunteer firefighters who recieve financial reimbursment for each call that they respond to. The volunteer firefighters are required to maintain the same minimum State certifications as the career firefighters and perform the same duties as the career firefighters. Lincolnton Volunteers are a valuable asset to the Department and the citizens of Lincolnton.
Captain Brent Turner
FF Lanny Ballard
FF Jason Blackwell
FF Chris Garner
FF Wayne Houser
FF Tom Montgomery
FF Jordan Barkley
FF Matthew Lee
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FF Colby Rash
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General Information
Hours of Operation: 8:30am-5:00pm Monday-Friday
Telephone: 704-736-8920 (non-emergency)
Fax: 704-736-8929
Mailing Address:
PO Box 617
Lincolnton, NC 28093
Street Address:
116 W. Sycamore Street
Lincolnton, NC 28093
