Spotlighting our South Carolina Fire-Rescue Speakers: Ken Norton

January 1, 0001

Last week, we introduced Michael Dozier, a Battalion Chief for Horry County Fire Rescue and a renowned Fire Rescue Speaker. Today, we are proud to spotlight a first-time Fire-Rescue speaker: Captain Ken Norton from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Captain Norton serves as the Fire Training Captain for North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue. His classes, titled “Firehouse Testimony: Mentoring to Make Awesome People”, reflect his passion for personal improvement within the fire service. With Fire-Rescue Conference 2025 being his first time as a speaker, Captain Norton describes the opportunity as a humbling experience.

“It was a big deal because my first attendance [at Fire-Rescue] was 20 years ago,” said Captain Norton. “I was able to speak there on something that I thought was important.”

He views his classes as a way to share his own personal and professional experiences that shaped his path in the fire service.

“I call it a testimony because I’m ultimately sharing experiences in my life that got me to the fire service [and] helped me grow in the fire service,” said Captain Norton.

Captain Norton hopes that attendees leave his classes with the reminder that people in the fire service come from all different backgrounds. He emphasizes the importance of empathy and community within the firehouse.

“The worst moments in their lives could have led them into being in the fire service, and the fire service could have saved them from a lot of things that they have experienced,” said Captain Norton. “We don’t know what people are going through or what they have been through; we have to be empathetic and understanding of that, and hope that people understand that what we do for each other inside the firehouse can make a difference in their career and their profession.”

We are honored to have Captain Norton join us as a Fire-Rescue Speaker and are eager to hear more of the valuable insights that he shares. We look forward to seeing him return for next year's Fire-Rescue Conference!