Staff report

KANNAPOLIS – The Kannapolis Fire Department recently held its annual awards and appreciation banquet at the Laureate Center in City Hall. More than 260 fire personnel, family members and guests attended.

Top honors were given to Senior Capt. Greg Summitt, recipient of the Larry C. Phillips Fire Officer of the Year Award, and Senior Firefighter Stephen Overcash, recipient of the Danny E. Scott Firefighter of the Year Award.  Retired Fire Chief Phillips assisted with the presentation of these awards.

Summitt is a nine-year veteran of the Fire Department and has served as a captain for four years. He is a training captain and a member of the special operations team. He is currently assigned to Ladder 14, Shift C.

Overcash has been with the department for four years and is currently assigned to Engine 31 in the Royal Oaks area.

“Both of these individuals are highly respected by others in the department as is shown by their selection for these awards by their peers,” said Emergency Services Chief Tracy Winecoff.

Fire Chief Ernie Hiers said, “It is an honor to work with these dedicated men and women, and I appreciate what they do daily to provide excellent fire and emergency services to our citizens.”

A badge-pinning ceremony was conducted to honor new firefighter recruit class graduates and those promoted during the past year.

Recruit class graduates are Jeremi Carter, Cody Harrison, Tyler Karriker, Michael Lanning, Jonathan McCaskil and Kris Reeder.

Promotions recognized include:

• Senior firefighters: Dan Brown, Don Gray, Daniel Jenkins and Ben Preddy.

• Engineer: Blake Overcash and Clay Sellers.

• Senior engineers: Ashley Armstrong and Jonathan Corriher.

• Captains: Chris Barbee, Scott Smith and Luke Osborne.

• Senior captains: Craig Miller, Chris Morris and Greg Summitt.