Cypress Pointe Fire/Rescue recently completed an officer promotion process for captains and lieutenants. This process included several steps, to be eligible to apply for a promotion: the applicant must have attended a minimum of fifty percent of all regularly scheduled meetings and training events within the last year. They must have responded to a minimum of 10% of all calls within the last year, as well as be state certified as a firefighter, Medical Responder or EMT and ICS. Candidates for captain must have a minimum of six years of experience with at least five years with Cypress Pointe. Candidates for lieutenant must have at least three years of experience with a minimum of two years with Cypress Pointe. Every effort was also made to test and promote the most qualified applicants that also exhibit leadership qualities through a positive attitude, setting good examples, education and experience.

The eligibility pool consisted of fifteen candidates for testing. Testing consisted of a 100 question written Job Knowledge Test that was based on the Essentials of Firefighting, IFSTAS Fire Officer's Manual and Cypress Pointes Standard Operating Guidelines, passing score is considered an 80.

The second portion of testing included a Tactical Scenario that was based on a residential structure fire and was administered by the Deputy Chief of Training, the Assistant Chief of Human Resources and an outside Captain. The final portion of testing included a timed Fire Incident Report Data Entry Scenario. A combined score was tallied for all tested modules and each member that was tested was ranked based on their combined score.

Cypress Pointe Fire Rescue would like to congratulate the following members on their recent promotions:

Captain Richard Fowler: Richard has 10 total years of fire experience with 8 years of that at Cypress Pointe Fire/Rescue. Richard works fulltime for Southern Pines Fire/Rescue as a firefighter. Richard is married and has a young son.

Captain Travis Matthews: Travis started his firefighting career with the Cameron Fire Department and transferred into Cypress Pointe during the merger of departments. Travis has been a member of the department for 8 years and works fulltime as a member of the Charlotte Fire Department. Travis is married and has a young daughter.

Captain Brandon Morris: Brandon also started his career with Cameron Fire Department prior to the merger to form Cypress Pointe. Brandon has a total 16 years fire service experience and works fulltime for Southern Pines Fire/Rescue as a Driver/Operator. Brandon is married and has a daughter.

Lieutenant Brian Atkins: Brian has been a member of the department for 7 years. Brian is full time farmer but also works several shifts at the fire department each week. Brian has a girlfriend and a very smart dog.

Lieutenant Gary Godfrey: Gary has a total of 15 years experience and 6 years with Cypress Pointe. Gary works fulltime for Brady Services and works several shifts a week for the fire department. Gary has a fiancée.

Lieutenant Bryan Lyczkowski: Bryan has a total of 14 years of fire service experience with 4 of those years with Cypress Pointe. Bryan works fulltime for Moore County Public Safety as an Assistant Fire Marshal. Bryan is married and works several shifts at the department on the weekends.