Portsmouth veteran to take over as KDH fire chief

| July 7, 2012

Troy N. Tilley, a veteran officer of the Portsmouth, Va., Fire Department, will take over as chief of the Kill Devil Hills Fire Department in September.

Tilley replaces Doug Penland, who retired June 30.

Tilley has served in a variety of roles for the Portsmouth Fire Department, including 14 years of senior leadership experience. He started as a firefighter and rose through the ranks over a 26-year career, holding three deputy chief positions.

Tilley is a graduate of the University of Richmond with a bachelor’s degree in human resources management and minor in leadership studies. He is also a graduate of Tidewater Community College with an associate’s degree in fire science and holds several professional certifications.

“We are excited to welcome Chief Tilley to the Kill Devil Hills team,” Town Manager Debbie Diaz said in announcing the hiring. “He has expressed incredible enthusiasm and experience for the position, and we are confident he will lead the department well as it serves our community.”

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See what people are saying:

  • M.U.G. says:

    Finally Done!!!!!!

    • on July 7, 2012 @ 11:06 am

  • fd says:

    Are there no KDH firefighters who can rise through the ranks?

    • on July 7, 2012 @ 8:08 pm

  • BC says:

    congrats, Chief. welcome to the neighborhood.

    • on July 8, 2012 @ 12:41 am

  • tim says:

    Maybe he could bring down the police chief to replace ours and all the scandals we have in that department. Or maybe we could swap.

    • on July 8, 2012 @ 7:23 am

  • Sandy says:

    What a horrible message it sends to the men and women of the KDHFD that no matter what education, experience or tenure they have, the town manager is going to seek applicants from outside of the area to fill the top position.

    • on July 8, 2012 @ 12:25 pm

  • KHer says:

    I’m sure, Sandy, that were were applicatons received from the good men and women of the KDHFD.

    Typically towns will bring in an objective panel of fire officials from other departments to review resumes and help with the interviews. They’re looking for the best qualified person, which may or may not be someone from within.

    • on July 8, 2012 @ 5:18 pm

  • beachlivin' says:

    agree Sandy~ Though I am sure he is quite qualified, I am saddened that one of our locals was not selected. Do we not have anyone qualified enough? How do our KDH fire fighters feel about this decision?

    • on July 8, 2012 @ 6:31 pm

  • Bleached Whale says:

    Genius. Hiring from the outside has worked so well for KDH city in the past. Why not at least somebody from the area if not KDH. Miss you already Doug…

    • on July 9, 2012 @ 12:16 am

  • Jeff says:

    Chief Tilley sounds well qualified, but then again, so did Britt, and he’s proven to be a disaster.

    • on July 9, 2012 @ 9:37 am

  • that girl says:

    why wait till September?? new guy not ready for the summer here? WTF, guess whoever is doing it now can be counted on to keep it running through the busy season but doesn’t get the job.

    • on July 9, 2012 @ 12:47 pm

  • Will Brooks says:

    Should have promoted from within! There were qualified individuals that could have made it a seamless transition.

    • on July 9, 2012 @ 12:51 pm

  • junkman says:

    He may be a good guy, but why do we need a chief for a town this size of KDH ?
    Consolidate with other towns and save a bunch of money.

    • on July 9, 2012 @ 6:08 pm

  • Welcome Mr. Tilley says:

    All I know is that I hear the KDH fire trucks running all the time these days. It would have been nice to have a local promoted, however, I know the scrutinized all applicants. I hope we have the best qualified person that turn out to love the area. Saying that, I hope we all give the new guy a chance rather than set him up to fail or run him out of the area before he even settles in. So, welcome Mr. Tilley, we look forward to your excellent service!

    • on July 10, 2012 @ 10:11 am

  • kdhgirl says:

    So chief Doug worked up the ranks,that’s not good enough for KDH anymore, why bring in someone not from the area, there are no slackers when it comes to the firefighters in this area,

    • on July 11, 2012 @ 9:57 am

  • jason says:

    You should always try to promote from the inside, it just makes good sense.

    With that said, when they finally get rid of the town manager, they will have to go outside……

    • on July 13, 2012 @ 7:43 pm

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