Gillespie named NLV fire chief

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005 | 8:53 a.m.

North Las Vegas on Wednesday named a fire chief from Augusta, Ga., to replace the city's chief of 30 years. He will start April 4.

City Manager Gregory Rose announced the selection of Al Gillespie, who has served as fire chief of Augusta since 2002. Gillespie has more than 25 years of experience in fire fighting, including seven years as a chief, officials said.

Rose said Gillespie's experience, leadership and vision will complement the city's management team. North Las Vegas selected Gillespie after a national recruitment.

The City Council will ratify the selection at a future meeting. Gillespie remained in Augusta on Wednesday to work on his transition and move to North Las Vegas, said Brenda Johnson, the assistant to the city manager.

Gillespie, who replaces Jim Stubler, who retired from the position Dec. 31 after more than 30 years of service, will earn $115,000 a year.

Gillespie couldn't be reached for comment on Wednesday but in a statement released by the city he said he is impressed with the city and its fire department.

"The excellent quality of the community, the city administration, and the fire department were major factors in my decision," Gillespie said in the statement."

Before serving in Augusta, Gillespie served as fire chief in Yakima, Wash., from 1998 to 2002. He worked for the Vancouver, Wash., for more than 18 years.

Gillespie is a graduate of the executive fire officer program from the National Fire Academy. He also graduated from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 2003.