(This story has been updated to reflect corrected information about the location of Matthews and Wesley Chapel fire departments.)

GRANITE QUARRY — The Granite Quarry Fire Department announced that it is officially fully staffed. The town held a badge pinning ceremony for the new and promoted members of the department during its town council meeting on Monday.

“Several things have happened over the past little while, some promotions and some new hires. It is with great pleasure that I tell you that Granite Quarry has a fully-staffed, 24/7 fire department. Three people there every day, all day and four people on the weekends, which is unheard of for a small town and I feel good to say that we’re one of the first to be able to achieve that around here,” said Fire Chief Jason Hord, who also serves as the town manager.

James Garris was named the B shift captain. After working with the Durham Fire Department, Garris has been with Granite Quarry since 2017 as an engineer.

“His previous tour of duty was with Durham Fire Department and Morrisville Fire Department near Raleigh. Garris remained part-time here and drove that far, and still drives that far to work every day. That’s how much he wants to be here. That should speak volumes for how special of a place that Granite Quarry is,” said Hord.

Allen Bennett was named the A shift engineer. Bennett has been with the department since 2005 in both a volunteer and eventually part-time capacity.

Chris Paton was named the B shift engineer. Paton has been with the department since 2022, when he moved with his family from California to the area.

Jonathan McCulloh was named the C shift engineer. McCulloh started in fire service with Granite Quarry in 2008 before moving to other departments, most recently spending five years with Thomasville Fire and rescue. McCulloh is a Granite Quarry resident and is taking the engineer position vacated by Garris’ promotion.

Elijah Pritchard was named the A shift firefighter. Hord, who teaches part-time at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, called Pritchard the “top gun” in his rookie academy and said that Pritchard choosing to come to Granite Quarry spoke volumes about the quality of the department. Pritchard also volunteers with the Millingport Fire Department in Stanly County.

Connor Kyles was named the B shift firefighter. Kyles was another of Hord’s recent academy students. Hord said that Kyles coming to the town made them a “better department,” adding that Kyles is following in his father’s footsteps, who serves with the Kannapolis Fire Department. Kyles also volunteers at the Franklin Fire Department.

Matthew Quales was named the C shift firefighter. Quales recently served with the Matthews Fire Department in Mecklenburg County and Wesley Chapel Fire Department in Union County before moving to Rowan County and joining the Granite Quarry Fire Department. Quales also volunteers with the Bostian Heights Fire Department.

After announcing each member of the department and having each one have their badges pinned onto their uniforms, Hord spoke about the values of the department and said that as members of the department, they now represented the entirety of the department and town itself.