Christopher Hicks
Gary L Herman
Christopher Hicks has been named as the new Fire Marshal in Alexander County. He began duties on July 28.
His fire service experience dates back to 1991, when he served as a junior firefighter for the Conover Fire Department. Hicks is a 1993 graduate of Newton-Conover High School and attained his Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) certification from CVCC in 1996. After a brief career in law enforcement, he was hired as a fire engineer with the Conover Fire Department, where he worked his way through the ranks as fire inspector and lieutenant. In September 2023, Hicks was hired as the fire marshal in Wilkes County.
“I’m honored to serve as Alexander County’s new fire marshal. I lived in Alexander County several years, and I love it here,” said Hicks. “I’m excited for the opportunity to work alongside our dedicated emergency personnel to help keep our citizens safe.”
Hicks also has a degree in Emergency Management and is certified through the Office of State Fire Marshal as a Firefighter, Driver Operator, Fire Officer, Arson Investigator, Hazardous Materials, and Fire Instructor, as well as multiple specialty rescue certifications.
While living in Alexander County, Hicks joined Bethlehem Community Fire & Rescue, where he served as assistant chief for approximately three years.
“I made a lot of good friends when I lived here, and I know that I can still depend on them today when I need them. Alexander County has that small-town feel, and I really like that,” Hicks related. “The fire departments here have great leadership and volunteers who want to keep up with the ever-changing times. I believe there has to be teamwork between all entities for an organization to succeed. If all gears are running in alignment, then there will be progress.”
The duties of the fire marshal include assisting staff with fire safety inspections of businesses within the county to ensure that all NC Fire Codes are followed. The fire marshal and the staff identify and address any issues that may be a safety and risk hazard throughout the county, and perform origin and cause reports for fires, as determining how a fire started can be a complex task. The fire marshal’s office also performs fire and life safety training to ensure citizens know how to prevent fires.
Learn more about the Alexander County Fire Marshal’s Office at https://alexandercountync.gov/departments/emergency-services/fire-marshal.