Cypress Pointe Fire & Rescue celebrates three promotions

Three Cypress Pointe Fire and Rescue firefighters were recently promoted to captain.

“All organizations look to promote the most qualified person for the position,” announced Cypress Pointe Fire and Rescue Chief Mike Cameron on social media. “However, we have chosen to look deeper than the standard promotion practices used by similar departments. We have evaluated both existing talent as well as untapped talent with leadership qualities to help us build future generations of firefighters. We are not just evaluating certification and longevity, we are looking for leaders with the right attitude that will represent the department on the incident scene, in the station and most importantly in the community.”

Joe Kennerly, Brandon Morris, and Stephen Russell begin their new positions on Sept. 1.

Joe Kennerly has been a member of the department since 2003, according to Cameron. He currently serves as a driver/operator but has had multiple responsibilities throughout his years of service. Kennerly will be responsible for maintaining the rural watering points throughout the district. Kennerly has a wide range of emergency services experience, including airport firefighter, and has worked for an EMS transport service. He currently works full-time for Pinebluff Fire Department as a lieutenant.              

Brandon Morris joined the department as a junior member in 1998. He has served in many capacities, works multiple shifts each month, and routinely fills the role of battalion chief on shift, according to Cameron. As a captain, Morris will be responsible for ladder testing and maintenance, self-contained breathing apparatus maintenance, and OSHA-required fit testing. Morris has a strong base of knowledge from which to work and understands the principles of service delivery. Morris holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration and works as a shift captain full-time with the Southern Pines Fire Department. 

Stephen Russell has been a member of the department since 2014. He currently holds the rank of lieutenant within the department. Russell works multiple shifts each month and is well-respected by his peers and members of the public, according to Cameron. He can often be seen imparting his wisdom to newer members either on the scene of an incident or in the apparatus bay. He currently oversees the smoke alarm program and assists with training new members. As a captain, he will continue to manage the smoke alarm program and assume the responsibilities of the department’s liaison with Harnett County. Russell works full-time as an assistant fire marshal for the Southern Pines Fire Department. 

“Please take the time to congratulate these new captains on their promotion and the hard work that it has taken to achieve this accomplishment,” said Cameron.

Feature photo: Stephen Russel (left), Brandon Morris and Joe Kennerly/Courtesy photos.

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