Emergency Services

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Meet Our Leadership Team

Emergency Services Director

Ryan Dawson serves as the Emergency Services Director for Harnett County, providing leadership and oversight for Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, and the Fire Marshal’s Office. Dawson joined Harnett County Emergency Services in 2023 as Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator and was promoted to Emergency Management Coordinator in 2026 before being selected as Emergency Services Director.

Pictured is Emergency Services Director Ryan Dawson Prior to joining Harnett County, Dawson completed a 20-year career with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, concluding his law enforcement service as Chief Deputy Sheriff. He has more than three decades of fire service experience, including previously serving as a Deputy Fire Chief, and continues to serve his community as a volunteer and part-time Firefighter/Engineer/EMT with Buies Creek Fire & Rescue. His public safety background includes extensive experience in administration, fire/rescue, law enforcement, emergency management, incident command, EOC operations, disaster response, and complex multi-agency operations.

Dawson holds an associate’s degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Appalachian State University. He is also a graduate of the Law Enforcement Executive Program at North Carolina State University. His professional credentials span multiple public safety disciplines and include NC Executive Emergency Management Certification, NC Firefighter I & II, NCSFA Advanced Firefighter, Hazardous Materials Technician, EMT-Basic, NC Certified Fire Investigator, NC Advanced Law Enforcement Certification, and credentialing as a Type III Incident Commander, PIO, Safety Officer, Liaison Officer, Operations Section Chief, Division/Group Supervisor, Logistics Section Chief and Supply Unit Leader. He is also certified as an NC Fire Instructor I & II and NC Criminal Justice Instructor and serves as an instructor for NIMS/ICS courses.

As Director, Dawson is focused on supporting Harnett County’s emergency services professionals, strengthening public safety partnerships, advancing organizational readiness, and ensuring high-quality emergency services for the citizens and communities of Harnett County.

910-893-7580
rdawson@harnett.org

Division Chief - Administration

Alex Belanovich serves as the Deputy Director of Emergency Services and Division Chief of Administration for Harnett County Emergency Services. As Deputy Director, he serves as second-in-command of the department and assumes the duties of the Emergency Services Director in the Director’s absence. He oversees the Administration Division, which supports department-wide operations through administration and finance, logistics, public information, and special projects.

Belanovich is an experienced EMT-Paramedic with more than two decades of service in emergency medical services and public safety. Prior to being promoted to Deputy Director, he served as Chief of Harnett County EMS, where he was responsible for the leadership and operation of the County’s EMS system. During his tenure as Chief, he helped advance several initiatives, including the development of Harnett County’s in-house Paramedic Academy and pre-hospital whole blood transfusion program.

Belanovich brings extensive experience in EMS operations, administration, workforce development, and public safety leadership to his current role. He also has experience in the fire service, previously serving as a Captain with the Lillington Fire Department, and is a graduate of Leadership Harnett.

910-893-7580
abelanovich@harnett.org

Division Chief - Emergency Management (EM)

This position is currently vacant. When filled, this person will serve as the Emergency Management Coordinator and Division Chief of Emergency Management.

The Emergency Management Division is responsible for coordinating Harnett County’s response and recovery from emergencies and disasters. The division develops and maintains emergency plans, coordinates training and exercises, supports continuity and disaster preparedness efforts, and works with local, state, federal, nonprofit, and private-sector partners to strengthen the County’s overall emergency preparedness. During emergencies and major incidents, Emergency Management coordinates multi-agency response efforts, provides incident management support, maintains situational awareness, manages resource requests, and activates and coordinates the Emergency Operations Center when necessary. The division also provides daily emergency response and support for hazardous materials incidents, fire investigations, incident management, missing-person searches, water rescue operations, and other complex or large-scale incidents.

The Emergency Management Division oversees several specialized programs and teams, including the Shearon Harris Nuclear Task Force, Harnett County Search and Rescue Team, Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), and Auxiliary Communications Team (AUXCOMM).

910-893-7580
@harnett.org

Division Chief - Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Christina Williams serves as the Chief of EMS and Division Chief of the Emergency Medical Services Division within Harnett County Emergency Services. As Chief of EMS, Williams oversees all areas of the division, including 911 emergency response, non-emergency medical transport, training and education, community paramedicine, and other EMS programs and operations. A Nationally Registered Paramedic, Chief Williams has served in multiple roles within Harnett County EMS, working her way through the ranks to her current position as Chief of EMS.

The Emergency Medical Services Division provides and coordinates emergency and non-emergency medical services throughout Harnett County. In addition to operating Harnett County EMS, the division works closely with fire and rescue agencies, hospitals, and other public safety partners to provide a coordinated emergency medical response across the County.

EMS personnel also play an important role in Harnett County’s response to major incidents, emergencies, and disasters by supporting multi-agency operations, incident response, and Emergency Operations Center activities when needed.

910-893-7580
cjwilliams@harnett.org

Division Chief - Fire Marshal (FM)

Rodney Daniels serves as the Harnett County Fire Marshal and Division Chief of the Fire Marshal Division within Harnett County Emergency Services. As Fire Marshal, Daniels oversees all areas of the division, including emergency response, fire inspections, fire investigations, plan review, and public fire and life safety education. Chief Daniels is a Level III Fire Inspector and Certified Fire Investigator with an extensive background in public safety. His career includes service as a career firefighter and EMT, and he has worked his way through the ranks of the Fire Marshal Division to his current position as Fire Marshal.

The Fire Marshal Division is responsible for fire prevention, code enforcement, inspections, and fire investigations throughout Harnett County. The division works to ensure compliance with state and local fire codes through inspections of commercial businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and other occupancies. Personnel also conduct plan reviews, provide fire and life safety education, deliver specialized training, investigate fires, and work closely with fire departments and other public safety partners throughout the County.

In addition to these responsibilities, Fire Marshal Division personnel support Harnett County’s response to major incidents, emergencies, and disasters by assisting with emergency operations, coordination, and other Emergency Services functions as needed.

910-893-7580
rdaniels@harnett.org