Cramerton Fire Department

Charlotte Fire Department as a Division Chief after a 26-year career. Lance grew up in Belmont and graduated from UNCC with a Master’s Degree in Fire Protection, Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Industrial Technology, and Central Piedmont Community College with an A.A. in Fire Protection Technology. Lance is a member of the NC Association of Fire Chief’s and the North Carolina State Fireman’s Association. Lance has the Chief Fire Officer and Chief Training Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety and Excellence. Lance is a NC Level II Fire Instructor with specialty certifications in live burn, RIT, LP Gas, and SCBA. Lance also serves as an instructor at the NC Breathing Equipment School held at Gaston College yearly. Lance lives in Cramerton and is married to Leslie who works at US Airways and has two daughters, Taylor and Campbell. Lance and his family are members of South Point Baptist Church. Travis Williamson Deputy Chief

Travis Williamson has 20 years of experience in the fire service. Travis also is a full time Firefighter for the City of Belmont. Travis has certifications in EMT, Firefighter II, Fire Officer II, Leadership I, II, and III, Driver/Operator, and Rescue Technician, and Hazardous Materials Operations. Travis graduated from South Point High School in 1995. Travis lives in the Belmont area with his wife Kim and 3 kids Courtney, Travis, Shannon Williamson, and grandson Daxton. Coleman Hattaway Captain

Coleman Hattaway has 14 years of fire service experience starting his career in 2007 with the McAdenville Fire Department as a volunteer. In 2014, he was hired at Charlotte Fire Department and is currently assigned to Ladder 13 in west Charlotte. Coleman graduated high school from Forestview High School in 2009. Coleman is currently pursuing his degree at Gaston College in Fire Protection. He holds certifications in Fire Fighter 1 and 2, Technical rescue, Vehicle Motor Rescue, Rope Technician, Aerial Operator, Driver Operator, Driver Operator Pumps, Emergency Vehicle Driver, Hazmat Tech, Technical Rescuer Swift Water, and is a NC Emergency Medical Technician. Coleman has also participated in the NC Breathing Equipment School at Gaston College. Coleman lives in Cramerton with his wife Olivia, daughter Emma, and their Lab Sadie Grace. Coleman has been a part of the Cramerton Fire Department since 2012. Derek Merrill Captain

Derek Merrill has 27 years of fire service experience. He graduated from North Gaston High School in 1992. He started his fire service career at Ranlo Fire and Rescue in 1994. While there he earned his FF I and II, Rescue Technician certifications, and also an A.A degree in Fire Protection Technology from Gaston College in 1996. In 2000 he was hired by Gastonia FD, where he was a member of the Special Operations Team. In 2005 Derek was hired by Charlotte FD where he is currently employed. He is an engineer on Engine 7 in the NODA area of Charlotte. He currently holds certifications in EMT, hazmat tech, confined space, trench rescue, structural collapse, North Carolina Breathing Equipment School, driver operator, aerial ops, and numerous ICS classes. Derek has been married to his wife Julie for 21 years, they have 3 girls, Karrah, Olivia, Shelby, and 3 grandchildren Kyleigh, Madi, Wyatt. Derek has been a member of Cramerton FD since 2012

Daniel Woods Captain

Daniel Woods has 10 years of experience in the fire service starting his career in 2012 with the Cramerton Volunteer Fire Department. Daniel is also a full-time firefighter with the City of Belmont. Daniel grew up in grew up in Cramerton and currently lives in west Cramerton with his wife Kristen and two kids Gauge and Piper. He graduated from South Point High School in 2011. Daniel holds certifications in Fire Fighter 1 and 2, Driver Operator, Fire Officer 1 and Instructor 1.