Tucson Fire Department Chief Jim Critchley announced his retirement Thursday after six years as head of the department.
Critchley sent out a memo to Tucson Fire Department personnel Thursday saying he loved his job, but decided to retire and focus on his family, department spokesman Julian Herrera said.
Critchley joined the Fire Department in 1988 and became chief in 2011. As chief, he earned about $176,000 a year, according to a 2016 city database of employee salaries. No date was given for Critchleyโs retirement, but city officials said they expected it to be effective before the end of the year.
City Manager Mike Ortega praised Critchley for his years of service, saying he was an asset to the community who will be missed.
He said a search for a permanent replacement will start after the first of the year.
Critchley said he had โmixed feelingsโ about leaving the โmost amazing group of people to ever walk this walk,โ according to a copy of the memo obtained by the Arizona Daily Star.
Critchley recounted how his children were โraised in the stations and baysโ of TFD among โso many aunts and uncles our family tree simply looked like an endless forest.โ
He thanked fire personnel for their support after suffering health problems in 2012.
โI have learned so much, every day, from every one of you,โ Critchley wrote. โI have learned from every patient, every scared parent, every concerned neighbor, and from every new endeavor. Together we have run into every building, pushed up every hill and fought every battle. I cannot begin to thank you all, every one for every day of the unbelievable adventure.โ
โI will be leaving to rededicate myself to my immediate family. I intend to spend some intense time focusing on my own health โ something I cannot stress enough for all of you to do now โ not after 30 years!โ
โNot a day will pass without a heavy heart and yearning to be amongst you. Please keep each other in your protection. Have each otherโs backs and hearts every day and on every call.โ
Critchley oversaw a department with a $92 million annual budget, 643 full-time-equivalent commissioned personnel and 133 civilian employees.
In the chiefโs message printed in the departmentโs 2017 annual report, Critchley said the department handled 92,000 emergency calls during the fiscal year, making it the 34th busiest fire department in the country.
He also said the department received a Class 1 ranking from the Insurance Services Office, making it a top fire department in the nation. The high ranking directly affects the insurance rates paid by local businesses, Critchley wrote.
