Assistant City Manager Kelly Olivera, on behalf of City Manager Douglas Hewett, announced Kevin Dove as the next Fire Chief of the Fayetteville Fire Department on Monday, March 4 at a press conference hosted in the Council Chambers in City Hall located in downtown Fayetteville. 

Dove has served as the Deputy Fire Chief of Operations of the Fayetteville Fire Department since June 2021, and has been employed with the Fayetteville Fire Department since October 1999. He has served in all ranks of the department during his tenure. 

“A special thanks goes to the Fayetteville Fire Department and all of the city leaders who participated in the process and carry this torch since Chief Mike Hill retired. I'd also like to thank our community whose feedback is critically important as we move forward together. We are truly fortunate to have had to have been able to identify exceptionally qualified candidates through search and making an internal hire exemplifies how we will cultivate and nurture talent from within,” said Olivera, sharing a statement written by Hewitt. 

Chief Dove holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, Fire/Rescue Executive Leadership from Waldorf University and a Bachelor of Science from Fayetteville State University in Fire Service Management. Dove is a credentialed Chief Fire Officer through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. He holds an Executive Fire Officer and Managing Fire Officer certificate through the National Fire Academy as well as a Municipal and County Administration certificate through the University of North Carolina School of Government. He is also a member of the Cumberland County Fire Chiefs Association as well as the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs.  

“I must first thank Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. This is a true testimony that through him all things are possible. I am overwhelmingly humbled at the opportunity to lead this world-class organization  into the future,” said Dove in a press release. “The members of the organization that have preceded me have laid an impenetrable foundation that we can build upon with the sky being the limit. I would like to thank the City Manager and his team for their faith and trust in me as well as my family for their unwavering support and encouragement.” 

“Selecting a new fire chief is not just about choosing a leader; it's about igniting the flame of courage, wisdom, and integrity within the heart of the fire department, ensuring that the community's safety is in the hands of someone who not only commands fire but also inspires bravery,” said City Manager Douglas Hewett in a press release.  

Chief Dove will begin his duties immediately. The former fire chief, Mike Hill retired in December 2023. 

“I've got a heavy load to carry as Fire Chief. My predecessors have developed us into a world class Fire Department. It's now my responsibility to make sure we continue what they have started and what the citizens have come to expect. We have several opportunities to look forward to within our organization. But we also have some challenges including recruitment and retention, firefighter cancer and responder mental health. This press conference is the last time you'll hear me say ‘me’ or ‘I’. This job isn't about me, it's about the men and women of the Fayetteville Fire Department and the citizens of this community and I've got to get to work. Thank you all so much I'm truly honored,” shared Dove in his address to the crowd. 

You can see the full press conference on the Fayetteville Fire Department’s Facebook page here.