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By Robert Sullivan

Clemmons Courier

CLEMMONS — Clemmons Firefighter Chris Messick was named the 2024 Forsyth County Firefighter of the Year recently, an award that Fire Chief Gary Styers said perfectly represented Messick’s dedication to serving the Clemmons Fire Department and the wider Clemmons community.

Messick came to the Clemmons Fire Department in September of 2021 from his native Yadkin County, where he still serves the West Yadkin Fire Department as its fire chief when he is not with Clemmons.

“He is definitely a big contributor to our organization and community. He goes above and beyond in some of his extra duties since he is responsible for repairs and maintenance to all of the apparatus, which is a huge task since we have some older equipment, so it takes a lot of his time,” said Styers.

Styers pointed to Messick’s work heading up the department’s repair and maintenance duties as one of his largest contributions to the Clemmons community. The chief pointed to specific innovations and improvements that Messick had made, including bringing the department onto a better schedule of rotating the tires and working with the committee to both update the department’s plans for bettering their apparatus as well as developing specifications for the department’s new trucks.

Styers also lauded Messick’s willingness and ability to personally take on many of the repairs himself.

“All of the general things that he has done throughout the year, other contributions he has made to the department. He is a great co-worker, great public servant, he definitely puts others first and really has a passion to make Clemmons a better place and this organization a better place so that we can better serve our community,” said Styers.

Styers is not alone in publicly recognizing the work Messick does in the community. In mid-February, Clemmons resident Tim O’Connor wrote a letter to the Clemmons Courier thanking Messick and Adam Berry for their work following a strong storm.

“Adam Berry and Chris Messick went to work immediately and over the next two hours removed all the debris out of the road making it safe once again for pedestrian and vehicle traffic. They went above and beyond, and I just thought it was important that I mention how much appreciation I have for these local heroes,” wrote O’Connor.

Messick was not the only local firefighter to be recognized by Forsyth County. Lieutenant Owens from the Lewisville Fire Department was recognized as the Rescuer of the Year and Lewisville Assistant Fire Chief Levy was named as the Instructor of the Year.

“These prestigious countywide awards are a testament to their dedication, skill and leadership in the fire service. Lieutenant Owens’ commitment to excellence in rescue operations and Assistant Chief Levy’s passion for training and mentoring firefighters make them both invaluable members of Lewisville Fire Department and the entire county fire service,” wrote the department in the announcement of the awards.