Donovan Davis retires as leader of county emergency services

ASHEBORO — Randolph County Emergency Services Chief and Director Donovan Davis retired at the end of November, culminating a distinguished 30-year career serving the citizens of Randolph County. A Retirement Celebration held on Nov. 19 included many past/current employees, partners and dignitaries to share their appreciation of Chief Davis.

Chief Deputy Jared Byrd began serving as interim chief on Dec. 1.

Randolph County Board of Commissioners Chairman Darrell Frye presented Davis with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award (the highest award for state service granted by the Office of the Governor). 

During Davis’ extensive tenure, Randolph County Emergency Services (RCES) has undergone significant growth and modernization to meet the demands of an increasing population and rising call volumes. His leadership has been central to key advancements in facilities, staffing and community service initiatives, fundamentally shaping the emergency response capabilities of the county.

Facilities and infrastructure

A cornerstone of Davis’ legacy is the modernization of RCES infrastructure. A major achievement was the construction of a new, state-of-the-art, $10 million consolidated headquarters. This facility now houses the 911 center, an EMS base, the emergency operations center for emergency management and a dedicated training space, centralizing critical services.

To improve response times in rural areas, which previously could be up to 25 minutes, Davis oversaw the construction of two new emergency service bases in Uwharrie and Erect. He also spearheaded the acquisition and upgrade of more than $2 million worth of mobile and portable radios and related infrastructure for several county departments, replacing outdated equipment and improving communication capabilities across the county.

Staffing, personnel initiatives

Recognizing the challenges posed by nationwide staffing shortages, Davis implemented innovative solutions to ensure the county had a consistent supply of qualified personnel. He established an in-house paramedic academy to quickly train and certify existing EMTs into North Carolina-certified paramedics.

Advocating for the well-being and retention of staff, Davis supported the transition to 12-hour shifts for EMS workers, citing studies that support the change for improved safety, reduced medical errors and better recruitment. During COVID, he also implemented financial bonus programs for EMS and 911 telecommunicators to address critical staffing needs and reward dedicated work. 

Over the years, the department has added ambulance crews, fire inspectors, and 911 operators to keep pace with the increasing demand for services.

Services and programs

Under Davis leadership, RCES has managed a significant increase in 911 calls, with thousands more calls per year than a decade ago.

Chief Davis also prioritized the mental wellbeing of first responders by establishing a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) program to prevent burnout and support mental health. This successful peer-to-peer program has since collaborated with other county departments.

The most recent program created under Davis’ leadership is the Community Paramedic Program, which started July 1, 2025. The program redefines the role of paramedics from solely responding to emergencies to also providing preventative care directly in patients’ homes. Rather than waiting for the next 9-1-1 call, Community Paramedics will conduct in-home visits with residents who have complex medical needs.