Eric Southern

Eric Southern possesses extensive experience in emergency services, serving as the Director and Chief of Surry County Emergency Services since October 1992. In this role, Eric oversees operations as a shift supervisor and coordinates various specialty teams focused on high angle, water recovery, swiftwater, hazardous materials, and confined space rescue. Eric also holds the position of Captain and WMD Specialist with the Surry County Hazardous Materials Team and has been a dedicated volunteer firefighter at the Franklin Community Volunteer Fire Department since May 1991, where a range of leadership roles have been undertaken. As an educator, Eric has been involved in teaching fire, EMS, rescue, and hazardous materials courses at Surry Community College and Forsyth Technical Community College since 1996, while also operating Instructional Methods, providing instruction and education in these fields. Eric holds a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire and Emergency Management from Kaplan University, along with an AAS in Emergency Medicine from Guilford Technical Community College.