Al Gillespie has been hired as the fire chief for the North Las Vegas (Nev.) Fire Department.

“The North Las Vegas Fire Department is one of the finest in the nation,” said City Manager Gregory Rose, announcing the appointment Sunday. "We are excited to welcome Chief Gillespie to North Las Vegas. His experience, leadership, and vision will benefit our fire department and complement our management team.”
 
Gillespie will begin work on March 7 and will be paid a salary of $115,000 a year, said Rose.
 
“I am impressed with the City of North Las Vegas and its Fire Department,” said Gillespie.  “The excellent quality of the community, the city administration and the fire department were major factors in my decision.  I look forward to becoming an active community member and serving the residents of North Las Vegas as their Fire Chief."
 
Gillespie has more than 25 years of experience, including seven years as a fire chief.  He comes to North Las Vegas from Augusta, Ga., where he served as fire chief since 2002.  Prior to Augusta, Gillespie was fire chief of the Yakima (Wash.) Fire Department from 1998 to 2002.  He also served the Vancouver (Wash.) Clark County Fire District for more than 18 years.
 
Gillespie replaces Jim Stubler, who retired on Dec. 31, 2004 after more than 30 years of service.
 
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.