Harvey Gates
LINCOLNTON FIRE CHIEF RETIRES JUNE 30

By Jon Mayhew

Publisher's Note: The Carolina Scoop was the first Lincoln County media outlet to report that Chief Harevy Gates of the Lincolnton Fire Department was retiring. The original story ran April 15, 2008 but was lost due to internet complications.


LINCOLNTON -- A true servant of the Lincolnton Fire Department and the City of Lincolnton is hanging up the turnout gear and boots Monday. Lincolnton Fire Chief Harvey Gates is retiring after three decades in the fire business.

Gates confirmed his decision in April to the then-fledgling The Carolina Scoop. Chief Gates joined the fire department in 1978.

The fire department was in another location. And, according to Gates, many times firefighters had to "manufacture" their own equipment.

"We didn't have back then what we have now in regards to equipment," said Gates, who started at the South Fork Volunteer Fire Department at the age of 16.

Before sitting down with Gates in April, administrative support specialist Debbie Raby confirmed the news of Gates' retirement, shaking her head in disbelief.

"It's not going to be the same without him," said Raby. "It's going to be hard to see him leave."

Assistant Chief Mitch Burgin will be the interim fire chief. He said Thursday a decision on a new chief may come as early as August.

"Harvey's been my captain three times," said Burgin. "I'm really going to miss working with him. We've worked together for 24 years."

When Gates leaves Monday afternoon, the 30-plus year firefighting career will end.

"I'm especially going to miss this place," said Gates. "And I'm going to miss all the guys here."

Gates is a N. C. Certified Level III Firefighter and Level II Instructor. He is also a member of the Confined Space Rescue Team. Chief Gates also coordinates the annual Fire Safety Fair for the department. He is married to wife Kim, and they have one daughter Callie.



ABOUT THE LINCOLNTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

The City of Lincolnton Fire Department, comprised of 20 full-time employees and 10 volunteers, is responsible for minimizing the risk of fire and other hazards to the citizens of Lincolnton. The fire department provides response to and mitigation of fires, hazardous material incidents, motor vehicle accidents, confined space rescue, high angle rescue, unresponsive patients, assist EMS, and other emergencies as they arise.

The Fire Department responds to an average of 660 calls per year. The average annual loss due to fire in Lincolnton is $190,000. An average of 375 commercial fire inspections are performed by the fire marshal each year. Other activities performed by the fire department are hydrant maintenance (flushed, serviced, painted, tested); public fire education programs (Fire Safety Fair at South Fork Park); pre fire planning of commercial buildings; and equipment, building and grounds maintenance.
The Fire Department operates with three shifts comprised of four firefighters and one captain working 24 hours on and 48 hours off. One firefighter works at the Boger City Volunteer Fire Department 8:00am to 5:00pm. All firefighters are at a minimum state certified level II with more than half being certified level III firefighters.