The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, August 4, 1994               TAG: 9408040601
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: KITTY HAWK                         LENGTH: Medium:   51 lines

KITTY HAWK FIREFIGHTERS NAME FIRST PAID CHIEF FORMER NAGS HEAD DEPUTY WILL BE PAID $30,000 A YEAR

Veteran firefighter Lowell Spivey has been named chief of the Kitty Hawk Volunteer Fire Department as its first paid officer.

He will be paid $30,000 a year.

Former Kitty Hawk Chief Michael W. Askew nominated Spivey as his successor Tuesday. Askew submitted his resignation to the board prior to making the request to hire Spivey.

Members of the Kitty Hawk Volunteer Fire Department voted unanimously to hire Spivey, who resigned as deputy chief of the Nags Head Volunteer Fire Department last month.

Spivey, 44, has served as a firefighter for 14 years. His new role as chief will mark his second stint with the Kitty Hawk department.

From 1980 until 1986, he served as a volunteer firefighter for the department. From 1986 to 1988, he served as training officer and firefighter for the Nags Head Fire and Rescue Department.

He was promoted to lieutenant in 1988, and then to deputy chief in 1991. He cited personal reasons for leaving the Nags Head post.

Spivey has logged more than 900 hours of firefighting and hazardous materials courses. He is a certified firefighter instructor, and is certified in fire inspection.

``I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to return to the Kitty Hawk Volunteer and serve as chief of such a dedicated group of volunteers,'' Spivey said.

He said he has four goals for the coming year.

``I want to develop programs to recognize the volunteers in the Kitty Hawk Volunteer Fire Department and increase its membership,'' Spivey said.

``I also want to raise the awareness of fire safety, and reduce fire loss through public education and inspection programs. . . ''

Spivey also hopes to establish long-range goals for the department that will support the town's objectives in improving fire protection.

He said he also will begin a cost-versus-benefit analysis of lowering the town's insurance rating.

From 1972 to 1986, Spivey was the president of J.L. Spivey Inc., a contracting firm.

He and his wife, Leslie, have one son.

KEYWORDS: KITTY HAWK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

by CNB