Duplin County Public Safety

06/16/2026

06/16/2026

MULTIPLE AGENCIES RESPOND TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVOLVING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Multiple agencies are working to mitigate a motor vehicle accident near the intersection of Interstate 40 and NC Highway 24 West, near the Rest Area involving a tractor-tanker trailer hauling a hazardous material. Warsaw Fire Department was dispatched to a motor vehicle collision at approximately 11:00 am on June 16, 2026, finding the tractor-tanker trailer overturned on the shoulder of the roadway. First Responders and Emergency Crews worked from discovery of the hazard, isolate and contain the hazard and to shut down NC Highway 24 West and to detour the Eastbound lanes of Interstate 40. Representatives from the NC Emergency Management, Regional Response Teams, NC Department of Transportation, and NC State Highway Patrol are also on scene assisting with operations.

Officials have determined that the material has been contained and that there is no threat to the public. There have been no injuries associated with the incident reported. Crews will remain on the scene and in the area to monitor the situation, to assist with the safe off-load of the material, and will work to reopen NC 24 Highway West as soon as possible.

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06/01/2026

🔥 Wheat Field Fires & Agricultural Burns – What to Know 🌾

Over the coming weeks, you may notice large columns of smoke rising across Duplin County. Don't be alarmed — this is a common sight during this time of year as farmers begin controlled burns in harvested wheat fields. These agricultural burns help remove leftover crop residue, manage pests, and prepare the land for the next planting season.

These fires are intentionally set and carefully managed to reduce wildfire risk and support local agriculture. However, they can produce a lot of visible smoke — sometimes enough to cause concern.

📞 If you ever believe a fire appears to be out of control or spreading beyond its intended area, don’t hesitate — call 911 immediately. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

We appreciate your awareness and support of our agricultural community!

05/31/2026

🚑 Congratulations, Paramedic Nathan Register! 🚑

Duplin County Public Safety is proud to recognize Nathan Register on earning his Paramedic credential!

Nathan has been a valued member of Duplin County EMS since 2022 and currently serves on A-Shift. He is a graduate of the James Sprunt Community College Paramedic Program, and we are incredibly proud of the hard work, dedication, and commitment he has shown throughout this accomplishment.

Nathan, congratulations on this well-earned achievement! We are excited to see all that you will do throughout your Paramedic career and the many lives that will be impacted through your service.

Please join us in congratulating Paramedic Nathan Register!

Proud to Serve. 🚑💙

05/29/2026

Duplin County EMS proudly concluded EMS Week 2026 on Friday, May 22nd, with our annual EMS Banquet. This year’s EMS Week theme, “Improving Outcomes, Together,” served as a powerful reminder that the work of EMS is built through teamwork, dedication, leadership, mentorship, and service across many years.

This year, we were especially honored to welcome several retired members of our Duplin County EMS family. These individuals helped improve outcomes throughout their careers and helped shape the EMS system we are proud to continue today. We extend our sincere gratitude to Paramedic Eris Jones, Paramedic Glenn Dail, Paramedic Julie Holliday, Advanced EMT Mike Lewis, EMT Pat Rouse, and Retired EM/Safety Coordinator/EMS Director Dorothy Cavenaugh for joining us and sharing reflections from their careers.

Attendees enjoyed a meal, fellowship, and a night of celebration as we recognized many team members for their hard work, continued dedication, and outstanding service to Duplin County EMS and the citizens and visitors we are privileged to serve.

🏆 Years of Service Awards

🎖️ 15 Years of Service
Captain Abby Cannon
Paramedic Serena Parsons
EMT James Grady
EMT David Tollefson

🎖️ 10 Years of Service
Captain Brian Whitfield
EMT Nicholas Herrmann

🎖️ 5 Years of Service
Lieutenant Dylan Sholar
Paramedic Bailey Pifer
Advanced EMT Paul Chestnutt

🎖️ 3 Years of Service
Paramedic Makayla Lane
Paramedic Caroline Norris
Advanced EMT Christian Smoke
Advanced EMT Morgan Brock
Advanced EMT Guy Vaughn
EMT Kellen Griffin

🚑 Most Patient Care Encounters
ALS: Paramedic Dan Tingen
BLS: EMT Wyatt Groover

🏆 Rookie of the Year
EMT Wyatt Groover

🏆 Shift MVP Awards
A-Shift MVP: EMT Jacob Gannon
B-Shift MVP: Lieutenant Dylan Sholar
C-Shift MVP: Paramedic Dan Tingen
D-Shift MVP: Advanced EMT Nicholas Bryant

We were also honored to dedicate a retirement plaque to Paramedic Bobbie Jo Ferrell, recognizing nearly two decades of dedicated service to the citizens and visitors of Duplin County.

🚑 Life-Saving Award 🏆
Recognizing cardiac arrest resuscitation with subsequent hospital discharge:
EMT Brelee Blizzard
EMT Wyatt Groover
EMT Matthew Armour
EMT Ronald Flinn
Advanced EMT David Sweeney
Advanced EMT Morgan Brock
Paramedic Samantha Stalnaker
Paramedic Justin Chapman
Captain Luis Arellano

🏆 Special Leadership Recognition
Captain Luis Arellano
Lieutenant Bryan Warren

🏆 Doctor Hervy Kornegay Sr. Award for Excellence in EMS
Paramedic Rodney Dorn

We would also like to extend a special thank you to Paramedics Caroline Norris and Makayla Lane for designing a commemorative EMS Week themed T-shirt for our team, and to Paramedic Susan Johnson for capturing these memories through photography.

To every member of Duplin County EMS, past and present: thank you for your service, sacrifice, and commitment to improving outcomes together.

🚑 Proud To Serve. 🏆

05/24/2026

🚑 EMS Week Spotlight: Justin Chapman
Serving His Community with Dedication, Leadership, and Heart

After proudly serving in the United States Marine Corps, Justin Chapman brought the same discipline, commitment, and servant leadership to a career in Emergency Medical Services. A 2024 graduate of the James Sprunt Community College Paramedic program, Justin now serves full-time with Duplin County EMS while also helping shape future first responders as an EMS instructor at James Sprunt.

Justin is known for always stepping up where he is needed most. Whether taking on new projects, supporting his team, or going the extra mile for the community, his dedication never goes unnoticed. Most recently, he taught a CPR class for a local business’s night shift at 3 a.m., a powerful example of his commitment to making lifesaving education accessible to everyone, no matter the hour.

Thank you, Justin, for your service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to caring for others. 💙🚑

05/23/2026

🚑 EMS WEEK SPOTLIGHT 🚑
Moose is a seasoned Paramedic and respected veteran in both EMS and Fire Services. Over the course of more than 30 years, he has served in numerous roles, including dispatcher, Fire Chief, EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to protecting and serving his community. 👏
Today, we proudly recognize Moose Whitfield for his decades of leadership, service, and lasting impact on EMS and Fire Services across Eastern North Carolina! 💙

Moose is a seasoned Paramedic and respected veteran in both EMS and Fire Services. Over the course of more than 30 years, he has served in numerous roles, including dispatcher, Fire Chief, EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to protecting and serving his community. 👏

Today, Moose continues that legacy as a Shift Supervisor with Duplin County EMS and as an EMS Instructor at James Sprunt Community College, where he leads all cardiology instruction for Paramedic cohorts. 🚑

Throughout his career, Moose has trained and mentored many of the EMTs and Paramedics he now works beside. His deep knowledge, calm leadership, and exceptional communication skills have helped shape the next generation of EMS providers across Eastern North Carolina.

Moose’s influence on emergency medical services is both profound and enduring, and his dedication to education and patient care continues to leave a lasting impact on the profession. We are honored to celebrate him during EMS Week! 🚨

05/22/2026

As EMS Week 2026 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect on an incredible week of fellowship, appreciation, wellness, and recognition throughout Duplin County EMS.

We proudly kicked off the week with our “Health, Wellness, and Resilience Day” walk — bringing our team together to focus on the importance of physical and mental wellness while strengthening the bonds that make our organization so special.

Throughout the week, our crews enjoyed daily meals and an ice cream social hosted at our main station in Kenansville, providing an opportunity for fellowship and appreciation among the dedicated men and women who serve our communities each day.

We were also honored to welcome Thin Line Responder Wellness, who shared valuable resources and support focused on responder mental health and peer support. Additionally, Brad Lawson and Maverick, therapy dog with The Pierce Foundation, spent time with our team reminding us all of the importance of resilience, compassion, and caring for one another.

A very special thank you goes out to our ECU Health Duplin family, who truly spoiled our team throughout EMS Week with themed gifts, meals, treats, and overwhelming support each day. Your kindness and appreciation mean more than words can express, and we are incredibly thankful for the partnership we share in serving our community together.

Tonight, we conclude EMS Week with our annual EMS Banquet, where we will recognize the hard work, dedication, and commitment demonstrated daily by the members of Duplin County EMS.

To every Paramedic, EMT, Telecommunicator, Supervisor, Support Staff member, and community partner — thank you for your dedication to improving outcomes, together.

We are proud to serve the citizens and visitors of Duplin County each and every day.

05/20/2026

🚑 EMS WEEK SPOTLIGHT 🚑

Today, we are proud to recognize Caroline Norris for her dedication, service, and commitment to caring for our community! 💙

A proud Duplin County native, Caroline graduated from North Duplin High School before serving in the United States Navy. 🇺🇸 After her military service, she pursued EMT training at James Sprunt Community College in 2022 and joined Duplin County EMS full-time in 2023.

Determined to continue growing in the EMS profession, Caroline completed the Paramedic program at James Sprunt Community College in 2024. She now serves the community as a full-time paramedic with Duplin County EMS while also giving back as a part-time instructor at the College. 👏

Caroline’s passion for helping others and dedication to lifelong learning make her an exceptional leader in emergency medical services. We are thankful for her service and proud to celebrate her during EMS Week! 🚑

05/18/2026

🚑 EMS WEEK SPOTLIGHT 🚑

Today, we are proud to recognize Dustin Swinson for his years of dedication, leadership, and service to emergency medical care in Duplin County! 💙

Dustin has been involved in emergency services in Duplin County since he was a teenager. Swinson discovered his passion for EMS while still in high school. His drive and determination led him to earn his EMT certification and become a Paramedic at just 20 years old. 👏

Over the past 18 years, Dustin has served Duplin County EMS in many impactful roles, including EMT, Paramedic, Field Training Officer, Assistant Supervisor, Supervisor, and, most recently, Training Officer. His experience, leadership, and commitment to excellence have made him an essential part of the department. 🚑

Since 2013, Dustin has also shared his knowledge with students at James Sprunt Community College, where he is proudly known as the “night shifter” for leading many of the evening EMS courses. His passion for teaching and mentoring future EMS professionals continues to leave a lasting impact on countless students.

Dustin exemplifies what it means to be a Paramedic, punctual, professional, inquisitive, and always striving to improve. We are grateful for his service, leadership, and dedication to training the next generation of EMS providers! 🚨