Officials have hired Drummond Figg, a fire captain in Currituck County, for the job. Figg has also served as a paramedic in Carteret County.

Figg replaces Rob Holt, who resigned in January following an investigation by the county’s emergency management services. Officials say the new chief will face a number of challenges early on.

"He'll have a leadership challenge in building the morale back up again,” said Dick Casey, Newport town manager. “They've been through some rough times. I think we've got the right people on board though that can see us through this."

Casey says he received more than 100 applications for the fire chief position. Figg will start at the beginning of April.