BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — An Inez man who has devoted his life to public service received the nod to fill the Martin County 911 Director position during Thursday’s Fiscal Court meeting.
Nick Endicott cut his teeth in the world of firefighting. His father, Keither Endicott, was the fire chief for the Inez Volunteer Fire Department when Endicott was born. He said he would be hard pressed to recollect a memory that does not involve hanging out with his dad, the other firefighters and their children at the Inez station.
“I developed a love for firefighting and everything it involved when I was just a young child,” stated Endicott. “There was nothing that I enjoyed more than being at the firehouse. It was larger than life to me. I made the decision before I was even old enough to begin training that I would follow in my dad’s footsteps. I knew that a career in emergency services was what I was destined to do.”
By the time Endicott reached his senior year of high school, he had completed the required training courses to become a full-fledged firefighter. After graduating from Sheldon Clark High School in 2006, he attended Eastern Kentucky University and received a bachelor’s degree in fire safety emergency technology.
After returning home to Martin County, Endicott quickly slid back into working in the EMS field as he again served the fire department and worked part-time as a dispatcher. A couple of years later, he assumed the Kentucky State Police arson fire investigator position.
Endicott moved up through the ranks at the Inez Fire Department, serving first as a lieutenant, then captain for eight years, and finally, assistant chief for the last two years. He is a certified emergency medical technician and is on the first response team for the department.
For the past 15-plus years at Martin County 911, Endicott has repaired repeaters, served as the computer and technology technician, and continued to dispatch when needed. He spent many years helping 911 directors and their employees become acclimated with the ins and outs of the system and was their go-to guy.
“I feel confident that I can fulfill all the duties connected to the 911 director’s position, walk through that door Monday morning ready to hit the ground running, and do my job to the very best of my ability,” said Endicott.
“I want to thank Judge Colby Kirk and the fiscal court members for allowing me this opportunity. I want them to know I will strive each day to prove to them it was the right decision.”
Endicott, the father of son Branson and daughter Heidi, plans to remain in Martin County and hopes to serve as 911 director for many years.
“This is home,” said Endicott. “I was born here, my family is here, and I have a love for the county and its residents. It’s an honor and a privilege to receive this opportunity, and I plan to push our 911 communications office into the future.”