It is with great pleasure that Horry County Fire Rescue announces the following promotions: 

Justin L. Gibbins
Title:  Assistant Chief of Operations

With more than 14 years experience with Horry County Fire Rescue and 18 years in the fire service, Assistant Chief Gibbins accepted the position of Interim Assistant Chief of Operations in August, 2011.  Due to his leadership abilities and operational skills, I am pleased to announce that Chief Gibbins has accepted the permanent position of Assistant Chief of Operations.  Chief Gibbins will be primarily responsible for the overall operations of Battalion Two, the Haz-Mat Team and the Shift Medical Officers.

Lawrence Nyers
Title:  Battalion Chief

Chief Larry Nyers has been promoted from Captain to Battalion Chief, effective December 31, 2011.  Chief Nyers brings to his position more than 25 years in the fire service.  During Nyers tenure, he has not only served as Captain for HCFR but retired Captain at Fairfax County Fire Rescue.  Chief Nyers will be primarily responsible for Battalion 3 – B Shift.

Congratulations to both Chief Gibbins and Chief Nyers.  Thank you for your commitment not only to HCFR but to the community we serve!

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HCFR would like to congratulate the following people for their completion of the paramedic program.  In January they will be testing with National Registry. 

Michael Creech

Charles “Quincy” Hardee

Christopher Walden

Dustin Lawrimore

Stephen Bailey

Congratulations on a job well done.  Thank you for your comittment and on-going dedication to Horry County Fire Rescue!

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The administration of Horry County Fire Rescue would like to recognize the following people for the many years of service.  Thank you for your commitment and dedication to the Department and to the citizens of Horry County.

20 Years
Melissa Belflowers

15 Years
James O’Neal Bell
Cory Davis
Bernie Kirk Hardwick
Thomas Loeper
Michael Mallory
Kathy Nieuwenhuis
Kenneth Parker
Melissa Brown-Rabon
James Walker
Reynold Watson
Susan Wood

10 Years
Aaron Berry
Richard Blackburn
Bradley Blanton
Christopher Bullock
Allen Carter
Bryan Childress
Kevin Forbes
Dennis Gibbins
Michael Henderson
Steven Wayne Jones
William Moody
Anthony Mottola
Russell Brent Norman
Dennis Picard
Christopher Shane Prince
William B Prince, Jr.
Heath Scurfield
Sheila Sellers
Amy Strauss
Acey Taylor
MaryBeth Todd
Joseph Bryan Turner
Brian VanAernem

5 Years
Brandon Beaudion
Neil Buntura
Craig Covino
Walter Davis
Michael Dow
Michael Dozier
Kevin Dyer
Robert Gibbins
Peter Grzymalski
Furman Hanna
Sharon Hardee
Jeffrey Harrell
Benjamin Hughes
Phillip Johnson
Rodney Kimmick
Dustin Larimore
Eugene Lewis
Michael Mooney
Christopher Rosafort
Brian Stockbridge
Timothy Tucker
Sean Valencia
Aaron Windsor

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To view photos from the competition, click here

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November Hale Safe Firefighter Award Recipients

In cooperation with the National Fallen Firefighter Association and Hale, Horry County Fire Rescue is pleased to announced its November Safe Firefighter Award Recipient:

FF/EMT Zach Cottrell

FF Cottrell will receive a one-night, ocean front stay at the Dayton House and two Cinemark movie passes. 

The Hale Safe Firefighter program was developed in conjunction with the National Fallen Firefigther Association to make safety a priority for firefighters, ensuring that everyone goes home.
 
Congratulations to the recipients and THANK YOU to the Dayton House and Cinemark for sponsoring this months awards.

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Horry County Fire Rescue’s Team Horry Reebok came home with a 4^th place finish at the Scott World Firefighter Combat Challenge on Saturday, November 19, 2011.  In a 64 team elimination tournament, Team Horry Reebok, not only made it to the finals, but also superseded their 5^th Place title from 2010.

2011 4^th place World finishers, Team Horry Reebok include team captain, Michael Medeiros, David Howell, Aaron Windsor, Michael Noreck and Michael Mabe.

In addition, two other teams from Horry County Fire Rescue had great showings.  Team Horry finished in the top 20, while first-time world contenders, the Grand Strand Female Firefighters, finished 5^th in their division.

Team Horry includes Ken Norton, Curtis Armstrong, Shaun Simpson, Kris Armstrong and Andrew Wilson. Grand Strand Female Firefighters includes, Christine Berry, Nicole Rocke, Sheri DeBari, Pam Wingate, Erica Rosenthal and Nikki Crippen.

“The competition was incredibly tight this year,” stated Michael Medeiros, wellness coordinator for Horry County Fire Rescue and team captain for Team Horry Reebok.  “Anytime you have 800 of the world’s toughest athletes competing, you know that every move you make is to fight for position.  All three of our teams brought their best game and we look forward to the 2012 season.”

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