By Laura Nesbitt
Mountain View Telegraph
Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico)
Copyright 2007 Albuquerque Journal
MORIARTY, N.M. — Karl Ehl has resigned as Moriarty’s fire chief - just prior to his 40th birthday.
Ehl began 12 years of service with the fire department on his birthday and his last day will also be on his birthday - next Monday. He has accepted a position as a captain in fire training with the Santa Fe County Fire Department.
Ehl started working with the Moriarty Fire Department in July 1995 as a volunteer fireman. On his 30th birthday in 1999, he was appointed fire chief.
Although he is grateful and proud of the number of lives and buildings he has saved, he says his main accomplishment as chief was the relationship he built with members of the Moriarty City Council and their ability to work together.
"(Council members and I) worked hard over the years creating a rapport with the community. We helped each other as a team,” Ehl said. “And we changed the face of this department. We increased the professionalism and accountability of the members.”
Specifically, the group worked hard to change what he called “the volunteer philosophy” and a misperception of volunteer firefighters.
“We need to consider them as staff, I told the council,” he said.
Ehl said the council now understands the amount of work it takes to be a volunteer firefighter.
Ehl said he respects his employees.
“My success as chief is only as great as the people below me. I surround myself with good people,” Ehl said.
Those good employees are why Ehl believes the Moriarty Fire Department will keep progressing.
“These people in this department have their heart in the right place. They do it for their community,” Ehl said.
Ehl will not have as many responsibilities in his new job in Santa Fe. And although he will receive a pay raise for his new position, he said he is not leaving because of the money.
“The main reason is personal development,” Ehl said, explaining that the new job will give him time to go to school.