Carrollton Fire Department - Experts & Thought Leaders

After a nationwide search, the City of Carrollton has chosen Shannon Hicks to serve as Assistant City Manager. Hicks will assume his role in Carrollton effective Monday, August 26, replacing former Assistant City Manager Marc Guy, who retired in June after 38 years serving the Carrollton community.  Carrollton’s organizational structure includes two Assistant City Managers. As one, Hicks will oversee operations of the Development Services, Economic Development, Engineering, Environmental Services, Fleet & Facilities, and Public Works departments.  "I’m thrilled to join Carrollton’s incredible team, known for its outstanding culture and dedication to public service. I look forward to building strong relationships and contributing to the community," said Shannon Hicks. Prior roles of Shannon Hicks Shannon Hicks has nearly two decades of municipal leadership experience, with more than 18 years as a Public Works Shannon Hicks has nearly two decades of municipal leadership experience, with more than 18 years as a Public Works and Engineering Director. He has spent the last four years as Director of Public Works and Engineering for the Town of Addison, where he oversaw operations including water and sewer services, street maintenance, stormwater drainage, engineering, and capital projects. He has previously served as Director of Public Works and City Engineer for the City of Webster, Texas and as Assistant City Engineer for the City of Deer Park, Texas, where he managed a diverse range of services such as wastewater treatment, animal control, engineering, and the maintenance of streets, water and sewer systems, parks, city facilities, and fleet services. "Shannon will be a tremendous asset to the City’s Executive Team," said City Manager - Erin Rinehart, adding "His depth as a leader, experience, and desire to serve the citizens and employees of Carrollton make him the ideal candidate for the position." Logistics and construction support Prior to transitioning to the public sector, Shannon Hicks served as a project, site, and operations manager for civil construction projects, both in the United States and abroad. His experience includes managing large-scale utility projects and providing logistics and construction support to the U.S. Army in Iraq. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of New Orleans and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas and a Certified Public Works Professional in Management. Shannon Hicks is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Texas City Management Association, the American Public Works Association, the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Carrollton City Council unanimously passed a resolution in September 2023 to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District (CFBISD) for Carrollton Fire Rescue (CFR) to support and staff a Fire Academy and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training Program at Creekview High School (3201 Old Denton Road). career-centered programs “This is the next step in the already strong relationship between CFBISD and CFR,” Carrollton Fire Chief Michael Thomson said. “Conversations between CFBISD and CFR staff sought to bridge the school district’s need to offer career-centered programs and the City’s future need to recruit high-quality Carrollton Fire Rescue candidates.” student Fire Academy Fire Academy is based on a professional curriculum of Fire Academy and EMT classes through full integration The desire for both parties, according to Thomson, was to establish a student Fire Academy based on a professional curriculum of Fire Academy and EMT classes through full integration of high school and college coursework plus post-education, and professional training. CFBISD is drafting plans to transform a large storage area into a full-size engine bay from which the program will eventually operate the academy, including special classroom and office spaces. Creekview High School was chosen for the Fire Academy because it has the best available space in the district. Fire Academy and EMT Training program “CFBISD’s Career and Technical Education department develops students who are trained, certified, and hirable,” Creekview High School Principal Leon Sulak said. “The addition of Carrollton Fire Rescue’s Fire Academy and EMT Training program to the school district’s academy lineup of offerings has received an overwhelming response." "It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to be able to prepare in high school for a career path of choice, be able to learn from one of the best fire departments in the Metroplex, and be allowed to step into a professional position in the Fire Service and give back to their hometown community.” curriculum The first freshman class began with 19 students in September 2023 and grew by the end of the semester The curriculum is a four-year CTE program wherein the first two years offer an introduction to the fire service career pathway and the capstone affords the actual hands-on Firefighter I & II and EMT-Basic academy experience during students’ junior and senior years, Thomson said. The first freshman class began with 19 students in September 2023 and grew by the end of the semester to more than 45, and all are in their second semester of training. four-year CTE program “The emphasis on Career and Technical Education is something that CFBISD has recognized as extremely important,” JoAnn Gillen, CFBISD Chief of SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) & Postsecondary Readiness and CTE Director at Creekview said. “Collaborating with the City of Carrollton to establish a four-year Fire Academy and EMT Training program has been a project the school district has been wanting to see for quite some time and is a wonderful extension to existing CTE offerings at Creekview and across CFBISD.” hands-on classroom expertise Students can excel in their personal lives and studies and be enabled to receive professional training CTE provides students with hands-on classroom instruction, internships, industry-based certifications, and career and technical student organization competitions, along with access to professional networks and careers, that will give them the skills, knowledge, and training necessary to succeed in future careers, Gillen said. Students can excel in their personal lives and studies and be enabled to receive professional training leading to a career in any of the 10 different academy disciplines offered through CTE. rewarding, in-demand career “The Fire Academy presents a sterling opportunity to have a rewarding, in-demand career for students who would struggle with the rising cost of further education,” Christopher Holterhoff, CFR Apparatus Operator/Paramedic and Lead Instructor at the Fire Academy said. “Once signed up for the program, the Fire Academy becomes part of the student’s normal schedule." core class "The core class obligations can be met, while still allowing juniors and seniors in the program to double or triple block the Fire Academy classes." "This is how the students are given enough training hours during their last two years to qualify for industry-level certifications.” course completions According to Holterhoff, students will receive course completions for both Texas Basic EMT and Basic Firefighter According to Holterhoff, students will receive course completions for both Texas Basic EMT and Basic Firefighter and will be eligible to take the Texas state exam to become fully certified. Regardless of whether a student passes the state exam, if a student passes the courses as offered, they will receive college credit. current salary scale “Once students graduate and pass the state exam, they will be fully certified as both Texas Commission on Fire Protection Basic Structural Firefighters and Texas Department of State Health Services EMT-Basics,” Holterhoff said. “This means they will be hirable in many cities directly out of high school. If they want to apply to Carrollton Fire Rescue as a firefighter and are hired by Carrollton, the current salary scale would begin at $75,000 their rookie year, increasing each year until topping out at a $96,027 base salary after only five years of service as a firefighter.” guidance and planned assistance The academy will also offer guidance and planned assistance for those who wish to further enhance their chances Thomson said the academy will also offer guidance and planned assistance for those who wish to further enhance their chances of entering an EMT-Paramedic program which can open even more doors for them. “The Fire Academy is not only about the career opportunity but also about revealing the students’ deeper character, bringing them further into the culture of excellence expected in the Fire Service,” Holterhoff said. Creating great firefighters “Carrollton Fire Rescue is an excellent fire department by any metric. The expectation would be to have that excellence spill over into the Fire Academy and help the students become better in many aspects of their lives. The program is not just about firefighting, it is about growth, mentally and physically.” Holterhoff said it comes down to helping the students uncover themselves and grow into who they can become if they try, creating great firefighters for the City of Carrollton, and having fun doing so.

Carrollton Fire Rescue (CFR) was recognized as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Provider of the Year by Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, in Plano, Texas, USA, on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at the hospital’s Quarterly EMS Luncheon.   Each year, administrators, physicians, and nurses at Texas Health select a Provider of the Year after reviewing EMS calls and determining which had the most significant impact on a patient. CFR’s rigorous training In September, Carrollton responded to a 911 call of a 42-year-old woman who was suffering chest pains and collapsed at work. CFR members quickly recognized the symptoms of a heart attack, notified hospital staff, and transported the patient to the emergency room team who brought the patient directly to the cardiac catheterization lab. The patient survived thanks to the care she received in the lab and the advanced notice of her condition from CFR. The patient stayed thanks to the care she received in the lab and the avant news of her condition from CFR “In emergency situations, our goal is to provide the best patient care to increase the chance of survival,” said Carrollton Fire Chief - Michael Thomson, adding “CFR’s rigorous training and award-winning patient care help us achieve that goal, and we are honored to receive the 2023 EMS Provider of the Year award.” CFR’s commitment The award aims to bring together hospital clinicians and first responders to continue delivering excellent care. CFR was recognized for advanced training and high-quality, pre-hospital care. Due to the level of trust the hospital places in Carrollton’s first responders, clinicians are better prepared to treat serious illnesses and injuries upon patients’ arrival. Texas Health Plano serves the communities of Carrollton, Addison, Frisco, McKinney, Plano, and Richardson, and CFR responds to more than 40 percent of the emergency calls brought to the hospital. Prior to 2020, Carrollton brought approximately 130 patients a month to Texas Health. Rise in demand on first responders Now, the patient load is more than 200 a month. The demand on first responders has increased in the last few years, and CFR’s commitment to providing high-quality care in the face of that demand was another factor in Texas Health’s recognition of Carrollton.