Ryan Dawson, Emergency Management Coordinator
910-893-7580
rdawson@harnett.org
Ryan Dawson joined Harnett County Emergency Services in 2023 as the Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator and was promoted to Emergency Management Coordinator in 2026. Dawson began his public service career as a volunteer firefighter and continues to serve in that role today. Throughout his volunteer fire service career, he progressed through the ranks from firefighter to Deputy Fire Chief. As a paid career, Dawson served as a full-time law enforcement officer for 20 years rising from deputy sheriff to being the Chief Deputy Sheriff for seven years at a medium sized Sheriff's Office. He has received numerous commendations, including the Medal of Valor, Law Enforcement Purple Heart, Commendation from the NC Governor and North Carolina Officer of the Year, along with several other distinguished recognitions. Throughout his career in both fire service and law enforcement, Dawson has trained for and responded to a wide range of all-hazards incidents, including structure fires, motor vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, hurricane response, missing person searches, water rescues, explosions, large-scale fires, civil disturbances, active shooter incidents, manhunts, technical rescues, dignitary protection, and incident management operations. His experience includes roles in field operations, on-scene incident command, area command, and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) coordination.
Dawson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from Appalachian State University and is a graduate of the North Carolina State University Law Enforcement Executive Program. He is a certified law enforcement officer, firefighter, EMT, technical rescuer with numerous specialties, hazmat operations, certified fire investigator, FAA Drone Pilot, and credentialed Type III Incident Management Team member in various positions. Dawson is also a NC Fire Instructor, Law Enforcement Instructor and FEMA/ICS Instructor. He is married with two children and continues to serve his community as a firefighter and engineer with Buies Creek Fire & Rescue in Harnett County. Dawson possesses the following certifications:
Vacant, Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator
910-893-7580
@harnett.org
Danielle Elliott, Emergency Management Specialist
910-893-7580
delliott@harnett.org
Danielle Elliott has been the Emergency Management Specialist since 2026 when this position was created to expand the EM Division. The EM Specialist is responsible for assisting with daily operations of the EM Division, and has been tasked with focusing their training and abilities on mitigation of emergencies and recovery to better assist the emergency operations team after a large incident. Elliott began her public service career as an Firefighter / EMT with Benhaven Emergency Services in Harnett County. In her career, she has worked as a career firefighter and 911-dispatcher exposing her to various kinds of emergencies and creating a working relationship with fire, EMS and law enforcement. She is a certified firefighter, previous EMT, hazardous materials operations level and technical rescuer with vehicle extrication specialty. Prior to her work with Harnett County, Danielle was employed as an Emergency Management Specialist for Durham County Public Schools. She possesses a bachelor's in Emergency Disaster Preparedness from Western Carolina University.