AJ DeBenedictis began his fire service career in 2024 with Shallotte Fire Department before joining New Hanover County Fire Rescue. From the beginning, he knew he had found his true passion and has dedicated himself to continuously learning and growing in the fire service. He believes in maintaining the “new guy mentality” - staying humble, hungry, and willing to learn from those around him while constantly seeking opportunities to improve and earn his place every day.
He has a strong passion for engine company operations, search, and promoting physical fitness within the fire service. He believes that hard work, attention to detail, mastering the fundamentals, and never losing the desire to learn are the keys to becoming a well rounded firefighter. Whether it’s on a call, training, or lending a hand around the station, he enjoys getting his hands dirty and helping wherever he’s needed.
