HICKORY, NC (June 1, 2017)…After 30 years of service, Battalion Chief Todd Frizsell has retired from the Hickory Fire Department. Frizsell began his employment with the City of Hickory on August 21, 1989, when he was hired to work as a firefighter. Through the years he served as firefighter, senior firefighter, Fire Apparatus Operator, Captain, and Battalion Chief over the training division, which he was promoted to in July 2013.
Throughout his years, Frizsell has obtained several certifications including Firefighter Level II through the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission and Emergency Medical Technician through the North Carolina Office of Emergency Services. During his time with the department, he completed training as an Operation level Hazardous Materials Responder and in specialized courses including Fire Service Instructor level II, Technical Rescuer, and Fire Officer levels I, II, and III. Frizsell also completed training from the National Fire Academy in Leadership, where he obtained levels I through II in Leadership.
Currently, he holds the following State certifications from the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshall: Chief 101, Fire Officer I, II, and III, Firefighter I and II, Technical Rescuer, Level I Inspector, Emergency Vehicle Driver, RIT, and Hazardous Materials Operations. He is qualified as a Level II Fire Service Instructor, Live Fire Instructor, and LP Gas Instructor. Also, he is certified as an EMT with the North Carolina Office of EMS. Frizsell has attended various National Fire Academy courses such as: Leadership I and II, STICO, and DMICO. Frizsell completed the Chief Officer Executive Development program and the Executive Training Officer Management program through the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs. Frizsell successfully completed the Fire and Rescue Emergency Management Institute from UNC-Charlotte.
As well as his job with the fire department, he has served the city as a member of several committees including serving on the Board of Trustees for the Hickory Firemen’s Supplemental Retirement Fund and as an active member of the Hickory Fire Department Honor Guard. Frizsell also served on the board of the Western North Carolina Association of Firefighters as the Foothills Region Director.
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During the development of the Western Piedmont Community College’s Emergency Services Training Center, Frizsell took an active role in the development of this facility and also served as an adjunct instructor at this facility. So it is no surprise that in his retirement, he will be serving as the Director of Emergency Services Programs, where he will continue to train emergency personnel on life-saving skills they can use.
He resides in the Grace Chapel area with his wife, Charmion and their five children: Elijah, Emma, Alyta, Donovyn, and Ella Beth.
In his retirement, he plans to continue serving as a volunteer firefighter with the Grace Chapel Fire Department.