WARRENSBURG — After nearly 40 years with the Warrensburg Fire Department, Fire Chief Jim Kushner has announced that he will retire in May.
Kushner made the announcement at the Feb. 25 City Council meeting.
Kushner began his career as a volunteer firefighter for Warrensburg on Aug. 21, 1980.
“When I started, volunteers were the crutch of the entire county,” Kushner said. “Warrensburg was the only full-time department at time.”
He was also working with the Johnson County Fire Department, now the Johnson County Fire Protection District.
“I’d spend my own time, because it was my neighbors, my friends,” Kushner said of his time as a volunteer. “I learned that before I was here because I was running on the private ambulance service that was in the county and my very first call was a friend of mine on a wreck and it just kind of stuck.”
By April 1981 he was working full-time with the WFD and was promoted to captain Dec. 15, 1996.
Kushner became a battalion chief Jan. 9, 2002, then a battalion chief training officer Nov. 21, 2005.
Kushner became the assistant fire chief June 28, 2010, and was selected from several candidates to take over as fire chief after Phil Johnston, Kushner’s predecessor, retired in July of 2013.
“Every rank that’s been held here, I’ve held,” Kushner said.
Kushner has seen the department expand and change over the last 38 years.
When he started in 1981, the WFD had one station with three trucks, 12 full-time firefighter and about 30 volunteers.
“All we did was go to fires,” Kushner said.
The WFD now has two stations, 14 pieces of apparatus, 21 full-time firefighters and 24 part-time firefighters.
“We run fires, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, code enforcement and about anything else the public calls us for,” Kushner said. “When I first started we were running about 400 calls a year. We’re running 1,200 now.”
Kushner said he became a firefighter because he was “able to support the community and, to be honest, help them in their worst time of need.”
Kushner said in his time with the WFD, he has seen people he knew as children become firefighters and he’s been the one to promote them.
“Sometimes, getting too close, you can lose perspective,” Kushner said. “I don’t think I’ve lost the perspective, but I think it’s time for someone else to be here. Plus I’ve got three grandsons. ... I believe I’ve done what I can do for the department and the community. I believe it’s time for someone with a fresher perspective.”
After retiring, Kushner’s plans are to stay in Warrensburg and remain involved in the community.
“I’m sure I will find something to do when I become bored, which will be rather soon,” Kushner said. “I hope to be involved in the community somehow. ... I’ve been here since 1957. I’ve seen a lot of changes, a lot of positive things and we’ve got to move forward.”
As was done previously, the City of Warrensburg will use a nationwide search to find the next fire chief for the Warrensburg Fire Department.
Kushner said he plans to recommend Assistant Fire Chief Doyle Oxley to serve as interim fire chief until a new fire chief is selected.
As for what is in store for the WFD, Kushner said that the department is looking for ground for a third fire station.
“Things with the department are on a pretty good track, he said. “I’m happy with what I’ve done for the city, for the time I’ve been here. We’ve been through hard times and good times. ... I’ve been a part of it to help watch the community step back up.”
Kushner’s last day as fire chief will be May 31.
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