The chief of Kamloops Fire Rescue is calling it a career.

Mike Adams says he will be retired as of Dec. 18.

He says it’s always been an exciting job that continues to evolve.

“The fire service in general, but certainly here in Kamloops, we do more than fire and rescue. We’re involved in conversations with regards to some of the housing challenges and social issues that we see in every community. We do obviously the education and outreach and prevention work, investigations, and then obviously our emergency responses.

Adams has been a firefighter for more than three decades. He spent 20 years in North Vancouver before joining the department in Squamish, and spent two years there before joining KFR in 2011. He has been chief since 2017.

“Fire service has been an incredible career. I’ve enjoyed over 30 years working with so many incredible public safety professionals, it’s just been incredibly rewarding. And the men and women of Kamloops Fire Rescue are second to none. Their commitment to the community, to public safety and to one another, it’s outstanding.”

He says assistant chief Steve Robinson will take over as chief on an interim basis, until someone permanent is chose.