ROCKINGHAM — The City of Rockingham will appoint Austin Parker as the new chief of the Rockingham Fire Department effective June 24, as current Fire Chief Harold Isler retires “after a lifetime of dedicated service to the firefighting service.”
City Manager Monty Crump announced Parker’s appointment in a press release.
“Chief Isler has ably served as Fire Chief of Rockingham Fire Department since Aug. 1, 2014. Under his dedication and steady leadership, Rockingham Fire Department progressed to an ISO 2 Fire Rating due to Chief Isler’s professionalism and his extensive knowledge of the firefighting profession,” said Crump in a press release. “Upmost to Chief Isler during his career in Rockingham was his commitment to the safety, health and welfare of the citizens of Rockingham. Rockingham owes Chief Isler a great debt of gratitude for his service and we all wish him and his family the best as he retires.”
A Richmond County native, Parker began his fire service career at age 15 as a junior firefighter with Cordova Fire & Rescue. He has more than 15 years of volunteer and career firefighting experience.
Parker currently serves as deputy fire chief for the Rockingham Fire Department, overseeing operations, administration, training, budgeting and emergency response. During his time with the department, he has advanced through the ranks as firefighter II, fire engineer, fire lieutenant, fire captain, fire battalion chief and deputy fire chief.
His experience includes incident command, personnel supervision, emergency planning and coordination with local agencies. Parker holds numerous North Carolina certifications in firefighting, emergency management, hazardous materials response, technical rescue, fire instruction, fire inspections and emergency medical services.
Parker graduated from Richmond Senior High School and completed the Sandhills Community College Fire Academy before earning an associate degree in applied science in emergency management from Wayne Community College.
Outside of his career, Parker and his wife, Lauren, are raising their 3-year-old son, Dawson.
“Chief Parker comes to his new position with excellent experience, training, and thorough knowledge of the fire service,” said Crump in a press release. “Chief Parker has worked his way through the ranks of the Rockingham Fire Department and consistently demonstrates an eagerness and work ethic that led to his promotion to Fire Chief. I am confident that Chief Parker possesses the qualities, dedication and experience necessary to serve as Fire Chief.”