By Rick Armon
The Akron Beacon Journal
AKRON, Ohio — Akron is looking for a new fire chief.
Chief Edward Hiltbrand, who has served with the department for more than three decades and was appointed to the top job last year, announced his retirement Wednesday.
His last day will be Sept. 2.
“It’s been 31 and a half years and I just feel it’s time to go,” Hiltbrand, 59, said. “It’s been a great career. I’ve been very fortunate to work for the city of Akron and I’m humbled for all the time I’ve been here.”
He began his career with Akron in 1985, rising through the ranks over the years. He had served as deputy chief from 2003 to 2015, when he took over for retiring Chief Rob Ross.
Hiltbrand said he feels he’s leaving the department in good shape — the city also announced Wednesday that it’s getting a $4.4 million federal grant to hire more firefighters — and he’s pleased that a lingering lawsuit with the firefighters union over promotions has been settled.
As for his retirement plans, he and his wife, Linda, want to travel.
Hiltbrand hesitated when asked to name a highlight from his firefighting career.
“I can’t really put a finger on one of them,” he said.
He then said he just enjoyed working in the fire stations alongside other firefighters. He also is proud that his sons, Andrew and Cory, followed his footsteps into the firefighting profession.
Mayor Dan Horrigan praised Hiltbrand for his professionalism.
“His leadership and dedication to the Akron Fire Department and the citizens of this city will be sorely missed,” the mayor said in a news release. “He leaves behind a strong legacy of service to his community.”
Horrigan is now starting the process of selecting a new chief.
“I am studying all of my options but more likely than not, the next chief will come from inside the department,” he said Wednesday.
Akron employs more than 340 firefighters and has 13 fire stations.
Copyright 2016 the Akron Beacon Journal