Rowan County Emergency Services’ Chief Frank Thomason announced today the promotion of Fire Inspector/Investigator Lt. Deborah Koontz Horne to the Department’s position of Fire Division Chief effective July 5th. Horne succeeds Aaron Youngblood, who has assumed a new role with the North Carolina National Guard.

Horne’s promotion comes after a multi-week application and review process that involved both internal and external applicants. During the last year, Horne has served as the Interim Fire Division Chief for the department while Youngblood was on military deployment. “We look forward to Horne’s leadership in this important and critical position as we continue to progress the delivery of public safety forward in Rowan County”, said Thomason.

Horne originally joined Rowan County in 2001 as a 911 telecommunicator for six years in both full and part-time capacities, and transitioned to Emergency Services as a Fire Inspector / Investigator in 2007. She has achieved Level II firefighter and Level III fire inspector certifications from the NC Office of State Fire Marshal, as well as certified fire investigator certifications from both the State of North Carolina and International Association of Arson Investigators. A graduate of West Rowan High School, she holds a Bachelors Degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University, along with additional studies and certifications in fire/arson investigation, emergency management, emergency medical, and hazardous materials response.

“Rowan County is looked upon as one of the top counties for emergency services“, shares Horne. “I look forward to leading our Department’s Fire Division and further improving and expanding our inspections, investigations and other public safety duties”.