
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, September 2, 1995                   TAG: 9509050040
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: TONYA WOODS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FIRE, RESCUE CHIEF PLANS TO RETIRE

After serving for 10 years as Roanoke County's first fire and rescue chief, Tommy Fuqua is planning to retire.

County officials announced Friday that Fuqua will continue to serve until next spring to give a committee time to find his replacement and the new chief a chance to get accustomed to the job.

County Administrator Elmer Hodge plans to appoint a search committee, which Fuqua will lead. Other members will include representatives of county volunteer organizations, Vinton residents and employees of the Fire and Rescue Department.

Fuqua began his career with Roanoke County in 1961 as a volunteer with the Vinton Fire Department. He became part of the paid Roanoke County staff in 1977. He was named the county's fire and emergency services coordinator in June of 1981, then chief of fire and rescue in 1985.

by CNB