Assistant Chief Bill Heyde has retired from the Marion Fire Department after more than 31 years of service. | Marion Fire Department/Facebook
Assistant Chief Bill Heyde has retired from the Marion Fire Department after more than 31 years of service. | Marion Fire Department/Facebook
Bill Heyde, assistant chief of the Marion Fire Department, has retired from the department after more than 31 years of service.
Tim Barnett, chief of the Fire Department, recently recognized Heyde's service with a statement, saying, "You'll always be a pillar of our fire department."
Heyde retired in front of the City Council on Sept. 26. He served 31 years as a full-time firefighter with the department, but he was a part of the department even before joining full time in 1991. The fire chief honored Heyde for his devotion to his community and his men.
During his 31-year career as a firefighter, Heyde responded to at least 6300 calls, tested hydrants and water mains hundreds of times, and he was always striving to keep his team safe. He also took a crew and spent a week helping out in New York in the aftermath of 9/11.
Following Heyde's retirement, the City Council appointed Jesse Burford to assistant chief, Chad Schmit to captain, and Anthony Statler to lieutenant. All three have previously worked for the fire department. Additionally, Peyton Barnett was hired by the department as a firefighter.
Alerts Sign-up