Chief Herman "Blue" Born
Chief Herman “Blue” Born II, originally from Murrysville, Pa, started his career as a volunteer firefighter in 1983. In addition to volunteering, Chief Born worked for Wilkinsburg and Swissvale Fire Departments as a firefighter until accepting a position with the Town of Wrightsville Beach, NC, in 1995 and then with the City of Wilmington, NC. After twenty-one years with the Wilmington Fire Department, Battalion Chief Herman “Blue” Born II accepted a position to lead the Ocean Isle Beach Fire Department as the Fire Chief in April 2020. With over 30 years of fire service experience, Chief Born served the Wilmington Fire Department as a Battalion Chief and Fire Marshall in the Fire & Life Safety Division, Battalion Chief in the Operations Division, and Battalion Chief of the Training Division. Born received an Associate Degree in Science for Business Management. He later received his Associate Degree in Fire Science Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science Administration, and his MA in Organizational Leadership and Public Administration. Chief Born is a State Certified Fire Investigator, Fire Inspector III, Fire Officer IV, and Fire Instructor II. Chief is married to Christine, and they have two adult daughters. He also enjoys spending time with his German Shepherd.
Assistant Chief Robert Prevatt
Assistant Chief Bob Prevatt has devoted his adult life to public service in several capacities. He served my country in the US Army as a military policeman stateside. He was deployed twice to the Middle East (Iraq and Afghanistan) to support the War on Terror. While overseas he attained the rank of crew chief following his assignment as an inspector. Before and after his military service, he was a volunteer firefighter in Washington State, KY and multiple locations in Brunswick County, NC. During his most recent assignment here at Ocean Isle Beach Fire Department, he was promoted through the ranks where he now serves as the Assistant Chief. “It's been an exciting and fulfilling journey and I'm looking forward to the future and what it may hold for us here at the OIB Fire Department. I am a proud father and grandfather and plan to remain here to serve the needs of the community”.
Captain John Wells
Captain John Wells was born and raised in New Jersey and is a second generation firefighter. John moved down to North Carolina in 2010 where he became a full-time fireman for the Town of Sunset Beach. John spent seven years with the Sunset Beach Fire Department until he came to Ocean Isle Beach Fire Department in 2017. John describes himself as "a family man who likes the outdoors and feels honored and privileged to have the best job in the world!"
Captain Colin Cruikshank
Captain Colin Cruikshank is originally from the Boston Massachusetts area and started out as an automotive technician. Colin moved to North Carolina in 2008 and discovered the fire service in 2010 when he joined Ocean Isle Beach Fire Department as a volunteer. Colin says, "I knew this was the career for me." Colin became full-time in 2011, enjoy sports and working with his hands.
Captain Ed Conrow
Captain Edward Conrow began his career in 1989 in New Jersey as a United States Air Force Firefighter with the New Jersey Air National Guard. Edward also became an active volunteer member of the City of Vineland Fire Department in New Jersey where he held several leadership positions within the department up to District Chief. Edward became a career firefighter in 1990 first with the New Jersey Air National Guard and in 1993 he transferred over to the newly formed Airport Fire Department under the South Jersey Transportation Authority in Atlantic City, NJ where he retired in 2016 as Chief of Department. During his service with the Airport Fire Department Edward served fourteen years on New Jersey Task Force 1 a FEMA urban search and rescue team and deployed on September 11th to the World Trade Center. Edward continued his public safety service after retiring and went on to service as the Public Safety Director with Cumberland County, New Jersey before moving to Brunswick County in 2019. In 2019 Edward assumed the role of Emergency Service Director until October 2022. Edward has been married to Alicia for 5 years, and has a daughter and three boys between them. Edward is passionate about the fire service and enjoys spending time on the beach or out on his boat.
Volunteers & Part-Timers
Our department has several volunteers. They are from all walks of life. Some are former certified firefighters; others simply have an interest in contributing to the community’s well-being. Listed below are just a few examples of how you can become involved as a volunteer:
- Support Roles (matched with level of certification, if any)
- Boat Operations
- Respond to events, set up, and manage Rehab (support vehicle with water, tools, and supplies to assist firefighters)
- Traffic Control
- Community Outreach (concerts, town functions, educational programs, etc.)
If you are interested in and would like to learn more about volunteering opportunities, please contact Assistant Fire Chief Bob Prevatt at [email protected].
Ocean Isle Beach Fire Department
