FORT SMITH (KFSM) -- After nearly 41 years of service, Fort Smith's beloved fire chief is retiring.
Mike Richards' firefighting career began in the 1970s, when Roland had a volunteer department.
“They asked me to join, so I did, and that lit the fuse,” Richards said. “That got my candle started, and I thought this is pretty cool.”
He moved to Roland after marrying his wife, Debbie, who he said is the reason for his career.
“Had I not went through meeting my wife and all those things that went along with that, I wouldn't be here today,” Richards said.
Richards announced his retirement Aug. 31.
He said when went to his first fire, he had only one week of training.
“I was thinking, ‘Wow, this is like you see on TV,’” Richards said. "I`m thinking, ‘This is pretty cool. This is just like on 'Emergency, the old TV show.’”
Richards said things have changed a lot during his years as a firefighter.
“There comes a point in a person`s life that they have to reflect back on what they`ve done, and where they need to go, and I believe right now that my family needs me, and that`s where I need to be,” Richards said.
He said his faith in God called him to do other things with his life, and that's spending time with his two grandchildren.
“They will get 90 percent of my attention, but my wife and my sons and daughters-in-laws will get the rest,” Richards said.
Richards said his experience as fire chief has been great, but he said he couldn't have done it without his team.
“The big deal is the people,” Richards said. “The men and women we have here and the men and women I have worked with, they are the greatest.”
Chief Richards' last day will be Oct. 30. His replacement has not yet been hired.