MI Fire Chief Retires after 46 Years Leading Department

A Michigan fire chief is retiring at the end of the month after 46 years leading the department.

Napoleon Township Fire Chief Jay Hawley announced his retirement last month after working with community and department officials to create a transition plan over the past year, the Brooklyn Exponent reports. Hawley, 70, has been chief since 1974, starting the job when he was 24.

“It’s been a great career, and I think we did good,” he said at the Aug. 11 meeting of the township board. “I can’t tell you how many lives we’ve saved, how many structures we’ve saved, how many kids we’ve kept from getting hurt (speaking at) the school. It’s real rewarding, and … we’re leaving the fire department in a good spot. And that’s where I wanted to leave it.”

Assistant Chief Greg Bickford is expected to replace Hawley, according to the Exponent.

“We’ve gotten to know him and have seen the kinds of things he can do,”  Napoleon Township supervisor Dan Wymer said at the meeting. “I really think he’s a logical choice for our next fire chief. I have a lot of confidence in Greg. I’m going to recommend that we sort of view him as the lead candidate.”