Deseret Morning News
PAROWAN, Utah — A southern Utah fire chief who began his career in 1958 has retired.
Albert Orton spent the last 37 years as Parowan’s fire chief.
He also spent 13 years as an emergency medical technician and some 36 years working for the Iron County School District.
He says his career in firefighting has been tough at times, especially witnessing family tragedies.
But it’s also been rewarding, he says, and sometimes humorous.
Like the time he helped burn down the local elementary school — the same one he attended as a kid — to make way for a new high school.
Preston Griffiths, Parowan’s police chief, has known Orton all his life.
He says the former fire chief never sought recognition and helped shepherd the department through several important changes over the years.
Copyright 2010 The Deseret News Publishing Co.