Father, Son Complete RichmondCC Fire Academy Together

Oct. 27, 2025 – Laurinburg natives Stevie Knight and Dawson Knight are no strangers when it comes to putting out fires. This dynamic father-son duo recently completed Richmond Community College’s Fire Academy.

“We both needed more training to become certified in Firefighter 1 and 2, plus it makes me proud to do something with my son that we both enjoy, and the love for firefighting runs in our family,” Stevie said.

Both Stevie and Dawson began volunteering together as firefighters at the Laurel Hill Fire Department when Dawson was just 15 years old. Dawson was classified as a Fire Explorer, a youth-focused program that allows young people to explore careers in firefighting and emergency services through hands-on training and activities.

In 2021, both Dawson and Stevie joined the Laurinburg Fire Department as volunteer firefighters. Since then, Stevie also volunteers for Gibson Fire Department.

“I decided to become a firefighter because as a child I watched my father as a firefighter, and I wanted to be able to give back to my community,” Stevie said.

As for the third generation, Dawson also wanted to give back to his community, but it also “seemed cool,” he said.

Both Stevie and Dawson work full-time jobs for the Town of Southern Pines. Stevie works in the Fleet Maintenance Department, while Dawson works in the Street Maintenance Department.

Scotland Fire Program Coordinator and Instructor Donald Locklear encouraged the father-son duo to enroll in RichmondCC’s Fire Academy to advance their training.

“The Fire Academy schedule worked great with our work schedules since we both work full-time jobs, plus we wanted to make sure that we earned our certifications,” Stevie said.

Stevie and Dawson feel the experience has helped them become better firefighters.

“It gave us the opportunity to meet some great instructors, and it has helped us gain more knowledge so we can be more equipped to perform as firefighters to help save lives,” Stevie said. 

Fire Academy Jan. 13-Aug. 30

RichmondCC’s next Fire Academy will run Jan. 13 through Aug. 30, with classes meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 10 p.m. and some Saturdays. To learn more or to enroll, contact Director of Program Development Angineek Gillenwater at (910) 410-1708 or ajgillenwater@richmondcc.edu.