Retired Personnel

RETIRED FIRE CHIEF FERRELL HAMRICK

Ferrell Hamrick was promoted to Fire Chief on February 1st, 2016 after the retirement of Chief Mark McCurry. He served the Forest City Fire Rescue for 27 years prior to this date, 10 of which were as Assistant Chief. 

He was awarded several accolades during his time with Forest City Fire Rescue, including 2013 Unit Citation – Water Rescue, the 2014 CPR Life Save. the Medal of Valor and the 25 Years of Service Award.

Chief Hamrick retired on April 30, 2024.

RETIRED FIRE CHIEF MARK MCCURRY

Mark McCurry was promoted to Fire Chief on January 5, 1985 after the retirement of Chief Robert G. Harrill. He served the fire department for 10 years prior to this date as a volunteer officer of the combination department. He comes from a family of firefighters with his grandfather and uncle serving as past chiefs in other fire departments. He has also served the state of North Carolina by serving as President of the Western Fire Fighter's Association and President of the North Carolina State Fireman's Association.

In 2009 was awarded the North Carolina Association of Fire Chief's award for, "Career Fire Chief of the year."

When becoming chief, his goals were to move the department into the future with a progressive approach on training, education, and prevention. Not just for the public, but for the department as well. "Fire departments have been one of the best kept secrets, our goal is to educate our council and the public as to what we do. The general public has very little knowledge of our jobs or extensive training and education," states Chief Mark McCurry.

In his tenure he changed his paid staff from police dispatchers to firefighters working a 24 on – 48 off shift, added additional personnel, built a new 1.5 million dollar station, and purchase new apparatus including a new Sutphen Tower and Engines.

Chief McCurry retired on January 31, 2016.