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CHIEF OFFICERS

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Chief Sorrells' Certifications:

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  • NC Firefighter I & II

  • HazMat Level 1 - Ops

  • NC Driver / Operator

  • NC Aerial Operator

  • NC Fire Officer I & II

  • Rapid Intervention Crew

  • NC Fire Instructor I & II

  • Qualified FF I & II Instructor

  • Qualified D/O Instructor

  • NFA Qualified Instructor - Incident Safety Officer & Leadership in Supervision

  • NC Chief 101​​​

  • NC EMT Basic

  • Child Car Seat Technician

Joshua Sorrell

Chief of Department

The Chief of Buies Creek Fire & Rescue is hired by the Board of Directors to carry out the daily operations of the department, provide leadership, and perform oversight for all administrative functions of the fire and EMS divisions. The Chief is considered a part time employee, but also responds to incidents the same as all other volunteers at all hours of the day, night and weekends to assist our residents in need. 

 

Chief Sorrell comes from a family of firefighters who have served their community in Buies Creek. As a lifelong resident of our community, he grew up in the firehouse following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, along with his brothers. His grandfather served for 40 years reaching the rank of Chief and his father is currently a Board Member and Safety Officer for the department. 

 

In 2000, Chief Sorrell joined Buies Creek as a Junior Firefighter and was able to serve with his family helping his neighbors in their time of need. In 2002, he aged up to firefighter at 18 and starting gaining training and experience that would lead to officer positions within the department. In 2005, he was promoted to Lieutenant and then Captain in 2006 where he served many years leading crews on calls and doing his part as a line officer. In 2013, he was elected by the members as Assistant Chief of the Department where he has served for many years.   In 2018 and 2020, he was voted by the members as Officer of the Year. In 2025, he began his appointment as Chief of the Department. 

 

Chief Sorrell is able to serve with his dad, brother and son at Buies Creek Fire & Rescue each day as they continue their volunteer service as a family.  He is a full-time fire engineer for Fuquay-Varina Fire Department in Wake County.  Chief Sorrell is married and has three children. 

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Deputy Chief McIntoshs' Certifications:

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  • NC Firefighter I & II

  • Hazmat Level 1 - Ops

  • NC Driver / Operator

  • NC Technical Rescuer

  • NC TR: Water Rescue

  • NC Swift Water Boat Operator

  • NCOSFM Flood Boat Operator

  • AHA CPR Instructor

  • NC EMT Basic

  • NC Basic and Intermediate Law Enforcement Certifications​​

Chris McIntosh

Deputy Chief

The Deputy Chief of Buies Creek Fire & Rescue is elected by the members of the department annually. The Deputy Chief assists the Chief of the Department with all responsibilities as assigned. Currently, the Deputy Chief assists with operations and has the administrative responsibility for overseeing the fire training program.

 

Deputy Chief McIntosh started in the fire service in 2014 with Buies Creek Fire & Rescue while attending Campbell University as a student.  As an undergraduate student, he pushed himself to complete his college classes during the day and attended certification classes at night and on weekends to gain his NC Firefighter 1 & 2 Certification and NC EMT Basic Certification. Deputy Chief McIntosh previously served four years as a Lieutenant at Buies Creek before being promoted to Captain. During his time at Buies Creek, he has received Firefighter of the Year in 2015 and was chosen by the members as Officer of the Year in 2023.

 

Deputy Chief McIntosh graduated from Campbell University in 2018 with a B.S. in Homeland Security.  After graduation, he began a career in public safety working at the Fuquay-Varina Fire Department as a firefighter.  After a short time as a career firefighter, he left to follow his passion of being a law enforcement officer and joined the North Carolina State Highway Patrol in October of 2020, where is still works today. Deputy Chief McIntosh is married and is a State Trooper assigned to Harnett County. 

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Assistant Chief Weissingers' Certifications:

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  • NC Firefighter I & II

  • HazMat Level 1 - Ops

  • Rapid Intervention Crew

  • NC Driver / Operator

  • NC Aerial Operator

  • NC Fire Officer I & II

  • NC Technical Rescuer

  • NC TR - Vehicle Rescue

  • NC TR - Water Rescue

  • NC Rescue Officer

  • NC Swift Water Boat Operator

  • NC Fire Instructor I & II

  • Qualified FF I & II Instructor

  • NC Fire Inspector Level I & II

  • NC Fire Investigation Technician

  • Fire Life Safety Educator I & II

  • NC Chief 101

  • NC EMT Basic

Brett Weissinger

Assistant Chief

The Assistant Chief of Buies Creek Fire & Rescue is elected by the members of the department annually. The Assistant Chief assists the Chief of the Department with all responsibilities as assigned. Currently, the Assistant Chief assists with operations and has the administrative responsibility for overseeing the maintenance of the fleet apparatus and equipment.

 

Assistant Chief Weissinger is a Buies Creek native who joined the department in 2006 as a junior firefighter. In 2008, he progressed to the firefighter rank and continued building his knowledge learning the ways of the fire service. In 2010, he was chosen as the Buies Creek Firefighter of the Year. Weissinger showed his dedication to the department and progression of knowledge in the fire service which was rewarded with a promotion to Lieutenant in 2013. As his service continued, he promoted to Captain in 2016, which was followed by being consecutively chosen as Officer of the Year in 2016 and 2017 by the members of the department. In 2020, Weissinger was elected by the members as Assistant Chief where he continues to serve today.

 

In addition to his volunteer service, Weissinger is a career firefighter at Cleveland Fire Department in Johnston County where he holds the rank of Captain.  Assistant Chief Weissinger is married with one child. 

LINE OFFICERS

Line Officers carry the rank of Captain and Lieutenants.  They are appointed by the Chief of the Department with consultation of the Deputy and Assistant Chief annually.  Each Captain and Lieutenant is assigned to function as a line officer on incidents and also carries administrative responsibilities with their assigned rank. 

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Captain Garris' Certifications:

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  • NC Firefighter I & II

  • HazMat Level 1 - Ops

  • NC Fire Officer 1 & 2

  • NC Technical Rescuer

  • NC TR - Confined Space

  • NC TR - Water Rescue

  • NC Fire Instructor I

  • NC EMS Instructor I

  • NC EMT - Paramedic

  • Nationally Registered Paramedic

  • Certified Flight Paramedic

James Garris

Captain

Although he is originally from Charlotte, NC, Captain Garris made Buies Creek his home by way of the United States Army upon completion of his military service in 1997. He desired to continue serving and helping others, but wanted to do it at home and found a place with us at Buies Creek Fire and Rescue. His career in the fire service started as a volunteer, but he has progressed through the years into a full time paid career in both the Fire and Medical fields serving his community in many ways. 

 

Captain Garris is employed full time by Cape Fear Valley Health as a Flight Paramedic, as he is certified in North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina as a Paramedic along with being certified as a Nationally Registered Paramedic. In 2024, he retired from Cary Fire Department as a Fire Captain where his last assignment was the officer on Rescue 2. He has dedicated his adult life to working and volunteering in the public safety field and has continuously served the residents of Buies Creek in many positions including Firefighter, EMT, Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, Training Officer and Infection Control Officer. During his numerous years of service as an officer of our department, he was chosen as Officer of the Year by the members in both 2003 and 2012. Captain Garris is married with two children. 

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Captain Hubers' Certifications:

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  • NC Firefighter I & II

  • HazMat Level 1 - Ops

  • NC Driver / Operator

  • NC Aerial Operator

  • NC Fire Officer I

  • NC Technical Rescuer

  • NC TR - Water Rescue

  • NC Swift Water Boat Operator

  • NC Fire Instructor I & II

  • NC EMT - Basic

  • Child Car Seat Technician

Ryan Huber

Captain

Captain Huber is a Buies Creek native who joined the department in 2014 as a junior firefighter. As he learned the foundations of the fire service and the department, he built his knowledge and as his age grew, so did his rank. Huber eventually progressed in age and to the rank of firefighter when he reached the age of 18. As he continued his service to Buies Creek, he was  promoted to Lieutenant in 2019 and was voted Officer of the Year  his first year as Lieutenant. Huber continued to serve and was promoted to Captain in 2022 where he served until 2024 when he was elected by the members to be the Deputy Fire Chief of the Department. After serving as Deputy Chief for one term, Captain Huber wished to return as a Captain and line officer for the department.

 

Captain Huber is married and serves as a volunteer for Buies Creek, but is also a career fire engineer for an area town fire department. 

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Captain Cowans' Certifications:

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  • NC Firefighter I & II

  • HazMat Level 1 - Ops

  • NC Driver / Operator

  • NC EMT Paramedic

  • Level 1 EMS Instructor

  • NC EMS Officer 1

  • Board Certified

  • Physician Assistant License​​

David Cowan

Captain

Captain Cowan had a desire to work in the medical field early in life and began in the field as an explorer with Stanly County EMS while in high school in his home town of Albemarle.  He continued on his desired path in the medical field by attending Campbell University with hopes of making into the Physician Assistant program. While attending Campbell as an undergraduate student in 2015, he joined Buies Creek Fire & Rescue in the EMS division. He gave the department many hours and calls earning him the award for EMT of the Year in 2016. After joining the department, members encouraged him to pursue the fire side of the department as well and Captain Cowan found another passion in fire protection which enabled him to be able to provide an additional service to his community. His new love for firefighting earned him the Firefighter of the Year award in 2020. As he progressed with the department, he was promoted to Lieutenant and was consecutively chosen by the membership as Officer of the Year in 2021 and 2022. In 2025 he was promoted to his current position of Captain.

 

Captain Cowan graduated from Campbell University in 2019 with a B.S. with dual majors in Spanish and Homeland Security.  In 2021, he graduated from Campbell with Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Practice.  He is employed as a Physician Assistant for an area emergency medicine healthcare provider and also as the Assistant Medical Director for an EMS system in the Central Region of North Carolina.  

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Lieutenant Hesselmeyers'  Certifications:

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  • NC Firefighter I & II

  • HazMat Level 1 - Ops

  • NC Technical Rescuer

  • NC Fire Instructor 1 & 2

  • NIMS / ICS Instructor

  • EMT - Paramedic

David Hesselmeyer

Lieutenant

​Lieutenant Hesselmeyer started in the fire service in 1997 with Northview Fire Department in Lee County and moved to Buies Creek Fire & Rescue in 1998 where he served until 2006. Job relocation took him away from BCFD until 2012 when he returned and has been ever since. During his time away from Buies Creek, he continued his service with Red Oak and Patetown Fire Departments.  In his many years volunteering and working in the fire service, he has held different ranks of firefighter, engineer, lieutenant and captain.

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Lt. Hesselmeyer possesses a B.A. in Government from Campbell University and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from East Carolina University.  He has worked in the public and private sector of emergency services and currently is the President and CEO of On Target Preparedness, LLC which provides Emergency Services Planning and Training to government and private entities. He has had the privilege of speaking at FDIC and has had published articles in Fire Engineering magazine.  Lt. Hesselmeyer is married with three children. ​

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Lieutenant Johnsons' Certifications:

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  • NC Firefighter I & II

  • HazMat Level 1 - Ops

  • NC Driver/Operator

  • NC Aerial Operator

  • NC Fire Officer 1

  • NC Fire Instructor 1 & 2

  • EMT - Basic

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Richard Johnson

Lieutenant

​Lieutenant Johnson is a native son of Buies Creek, born and breed. With this being his hometown, he has always found a way to keep his community close including serving in his church and at our fire department.  He started in the fire service in 1997 with Buies Creek Fire & Rescue as a volunteer and later moved to become a full time staff member in 2001.  He loved his career and excelled as a full time firefighter / EMT with Buies Creek, so much that in 2007 he was promoted to Lieutenant to serve as a supervisor over the other full time staff.  Again in 2010, he was selected for an additional promotion to the rank of Captain. He remained in that role and rank until 2021 when he left full time employment with Buies Creek to pursue a different career with a pharmaceutical company doing clinical research. After a few years of returning to the role as firefighter, in 2025, Johnson reprised his role of Lieutenant to assist the department as a supervisor and line officer as he continues to give his time serving and responding to calls to assist his neighbors in need. ​

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Lt. Johnson possesses a Bachelor in Arts degree from Campbell University and a Masters Degree from Phoenix University, both in Criminal Justice.  He is married with three children. 

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Nicholas Holeman

Lieutenant

Lieutenant Vacant  Certifications:

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APPOINTED OFFICERS

Appointed Officers carry the rank assigned by the Chief of the Department for the specific position he wishes them to hold based on the assignment they are given.  

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Vann Sorrell

Safety Officer

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Firefighter Jernigan's Certifications:

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  • NC Firefighter I & II

  • HazMat Level 1 - Ops

  • NC Driver / Operator

  • NC Technical Rescuer

  • NC TR - Vehicle Rescue

  • NC TR - Water Rescue

Jenny Jernigan

Daytime Supervisor

Firefighter Jernigan comes from a long line of family that has served in emergency services in Harnett County. Both of her grandfathers and her grandmother, as well as her mother and father served over 25 years at Buies Creek Fire & Rescue and Coats-Grove Fire and Rescue. Jernigan began her fire service career in 1995 as a volunteer with Coats-Grove Fire and Rescue. In 1998, she transitioned to a full time position, and was eventually promoted to Lieutenant with their Department. After serving 14 faithful years with Coats-Grove, Jernigan took a break from the fire service after the birth of her son to focus on her family as a mother and wife. With a desire to still serve, Jernigan returned to the fire service in 2021 joining Buies Creek Fire & Rescue as a volunteer.  Picking up where she left, she quickly was back in practice of her career and love for the trade and transitioned to a part time position in 2022.

 

As the department progressed, there has constantly been a need for a full-time person to assist the department and the Chief with daily administrative and operational duties. Jernigan was a great fit to fill the role based on her past experience in the fire service and her decision making abilities. In 2023, she was hired as the Daytime Supervisor and continues to serve in that position today. As part of her assignment, she assists the Chief, Deputy Chief and Assistant Chief with various duties including supervising paid personnel, scheduling part time and volunteer personnel for shifts, special event coverage, equipment check off, maintenance, entry of fire reports and training records and other duties.

 

Jernigan was selected as Employee of the Year for 2023 for her hard work and dedication to the department.  She is married with one son. Both her husband and son also volunteer as firefighters with our department and they all reside in Buies Creek. 

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