Meet the Chiefs
David Hoback
Chief
I began my career in public safety in 1980 as a volunteer at Roanoke Life Saving Crew. In 1985, I joined Cave Spring Volunteer Fire Department and was hired as one of City of Roanoke’s first paid paramedics employed to support the EMS volunteer program. In 1989, I was promoted to EMS Field Supervisor and then to Deputy Coordinator of Emergency Services. Six years later, Roanoke City’s EMS program merged with the Fire Service where I was promoted to Battalion Chief within the new formed Roanoke Fire-EMS Department. In 2002, I was promoted to Deputy Chief and in 2007 was promoted to Chief of the Department.
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration, Executive Fire Officer Certificate through the National Fire Academy and Chief Fire Officer Designation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Roanoke Fire-EMS is an Internationally Accredited department with an ISO rating of Class 1.
I am a life member of Roanoke Life Saving Crew and Read Mountain Volunteer Fire-Rescue (Roanoke County). I am also one of the founding members of Virginia Association of Governmental EMS Administrators (VAGEMSA) for which I have served two terms as president. Additionally, I have served on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association and served as President of the Association in 2014.
I have over 44 years’ experience in Public Safety in both career and volunteer EMS and Fire. I have been married to my wife Marie for 37 years and we have two daughters and a new grandson.
Marci Stone
Deputy Chief
I began my journey with Roanoke Fire-EMS in 1997 as a firefighter/Paramedic. I served as a Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, and Captain before leaving in 2006 after the premature birth of my daughter. During my time apart from the City, I served at Lewis Gale Medical Center and Bedford County. In 2014, I returned to Roanoke as the Emergency Manager and was promoted to Deputy Chief in 2019. I hold a Master of Business Administration from Averett University, a Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration from Hampton University. I am a Chief Fire Officer Designee through the Center of Public Safety Excellence, a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program at National Fire Academy and International Association of Fire Chiefs: Fire Service Executive Development Institute. My vision for Roanoke Fire-EMS is to continue to have a well-trained, safe, and diverse team that others want to immolate. I believe that gaining regular feedback and continually improving is critical to remain the employer of choice.
Andy Foley
Deputy Chief
I have been with the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department since January 6, 2003. My career has been divided equally on the North and South sides of the City. I have been assigned to Station 1, New Station 3, Old Station 10, Station 13, Station 7, and the Rescue Supervisor position. I have enjoyed every station and assignment I have had, along with all the firefighters I have worked with. Throughout my career, I have learned so much from the firefighters within this organization and they are what make this one of the best Fire-EMS Departments hands down. My vision is what we already do every day across the City, and that is to continue to deliver the highest quality of services to the citizens and visitors of the City of Roanoke. I want our employees to enjoy, succeed, and always strive for greatness for their career. Looking back on my time with Roanoke Fire-EMS, a favorite memory or job position doesn’t come to mind as I have enjoyed everyday that I come into work and see the success of the firefighters that we work with.
Rhett Fleitz
Battalion Chief of Training
I have been with the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department since March 1, 1999. Most of my career was spent in Northwest at stations 9,13, 10. and 3. Throughout my career I have enjoyed all of the personalities and characters that our great department consists of. While our purpose, grit, and determination hasn't changed in the time I have been here, the delivery, expectations, and level of productivity have. Roanoke Firefighters have continued to rise to the occasion when called upon. Some of my best memories are of laughter in the firehouse and trading shifts in the street. I will always remember the great storytellers our department has had over the years. The proudest moment I have is when we built a house in the Berglund Center parking lot for Habitat for Humanity to send to Louisiana after a hurricane. It is amazing what we can accomplish when we have the same goal. As for my career so far, I wouldn't change a thing.
Trevor Shannon
Battalion Chief of Emergency Management
I have been employed with the City for 19 years beginning my career as a firefighter/EMT in 2004. Currently, I live in Salem with my wife, Jenn and two young boys Tyler age 14, and Jacob, age 10. Throughout my career, I have held positions in all ranks up to my current role as Battalion Chief of Emergency Management and Community Preparedness for the City of Roanoke Fire-EMS Department including serving almost 5 years at the Roanoke Regional Fire-Rescue Training Center. I am also the Special Operations Battalion Chief overseeing the hazardous materials, technical rescue, and water rescue teams. Prior to my appointment to the Emergency Management Coordinator, I was a Deputy Emergency Coordinator and built a solid foundation of knowledge for my current role. I am a graduate of Roanoke College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a concentration in Healthcare Administration. Additionally, I graduated from American Military University with my Masters of Arts degree in Emergency and Disaster Management in 2018. Most recently, I have earned professional designations as Certified Emergency Manager (CEM®) from the International Association of Emergency Managers and Professional Emergency Manager (PEM) from the Virginia Emergency Management Association.
Duane Noell
Battalion Chief of EMS
​I have spent a total of 24 years in Fire Service with the past 19 of those being with the City of Roanoke. My passion in Fire-EMS is the mental health and wellbeing of our people. My greatest accomplishment has been the development and growth of our Peer Support Team. We now have 11 people on the team and have spent over 664 hours supporting our teams’ mental health. I have been married to my best friend Jennifer for 16 years and we currently live in Franklin County. I enjoy fishing whenever possible, especially during the fall months along the beaches of the Outer Banks in North Carolina.
Rebecca Smith
Battalion Chief- Fire Marshal
I have been employed with Roanoke Fire-EMS Department since September 22, 2003. All of my career has been on the Southside at stations 1 and 4. I spent 15 years in operations prior to being promoted into the Fire Marshal’s Office. During my career I found my passion to be in the Fire Investigation, Fire Prevention aspect of the Fire-EMS department. I have made some incredible friends and family within the Department along with other partners within the City of Roanoke family. There have been happy and sad memories that have helped shape us all along the way. It’s an amazingly rewarding career and I look forward to continue seeing Roanoke Fire-EMS work diligently to provide the highest level of fire and emergency medical services, community risk reduction, and customer service.