The Gastonia Fire Department held a promotional ceremony for the following firefighters recently at its headquarters on North Myrtle School Road:
Capt. Matt Young to the rank of battalion chief.
Young has served Gastonia for almost 17 years, having been hired by the department on July 15, 2002. In addition to serving with Gastonia, Young is also the fire chief at New Hope Fire Department and a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Belmont.
Engineer Chip Hawkins to the rank of captain.
Hawkins has served Gastonia for more than 18 years, having been hired by the department on Jan. 16, 2001.
Engineer Charles Morrow to the rank of captain.
Morrow has served Gastonia for more than seven years, having been hired by the department on May 31, 2011. Morrow is also a fire captain with the Waco Community Fire Department in Cleveland County.
Firefighter Lucas Rollins to the rank of engineer.
Rollins has served Gastonia for almost eight years, having been hired by the department on June 13, 2011. Rollins is also the training chief with the Boiling Springs Fire Department in Cleveland County.