Hickory Fire Captain Retires

HICKORY, NC (October 3, 2016)…After 31 dedicated years to the fire service, Captain Chris Treadway has retired from the Hickory Fire Department. Treadway began his employment with the City of Hickory on September 19, 1988, when he was hired as a firefighter. Prior to joining Hickory Fire Department, Treadway worked for the Town of Valdese Fire Department. During his career at Hickory, he was promoted to Firefighter II in 1990, and Senior Firefighter in 1991 and to Captain in 1994, a position he held for the last 22 years until his retirement.

During his time with the Hickory Fire Department, Captain Treadway obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and Associates Degree in Fire Protection Technology. He also completed the Fire & Rescue Management Institute through UNC-Charlotte and the Chief Executive Officer program through the NC Fire Chief’s Association. As well as training required by the Hickory Fire Department, Treadway has certifications as a North Carolina Fire Officer III, Firefighter II, Fire Inspector I, Hazardous Materials Technician, Fire Instructor II, Aerial Operations Instructor, Emergency Vehicle Driving Instructor, Emergency Medical Technician, and Rescue Technician.

Captain Treadway served on numerous city and department committees including Total Quality Management Recognition Committee, Evaluation Procedure Team, Rules and Regulations Committee, Chief’s Improvement Team, Equipment Committee, and the Firefighter’s Committee. He also assisted with the development of numerous policies and procedures for the department along with researching and implementation of equipment and programs.

Even though Captain Treadway has retired from the fire service, he will not be retiring all together. He has started a new career as a school teacher. Treadway will be overseeing the Fire Academy at Draughn High School in Valdese. The fire academy is a new Career and Technical Education program offered in the NC Public School system. Out of 1000 plus high schools in North Carolina, Draughn High School is one of 55 in the state that offers courses in the Public Safety curriculum. “I am the type of person who is always up for a challenge. I have taught for the community college system for over 25 years and without a doubt, this endeavor will be different. But I am looking forward to the opportunity to make a difference in one of these kids and introduce them to the fire service profession and hopefully develop some future firefighters.”

Treadway resides in Valdese with his family that includes wife Tracey, an orthodontic assistant for Dr. Garlitz in Hickory, and daughter’s Madison, a pharmacy student at Wingate University and Megan a senior at Draughn High School.