By Beth Beer Cuddy
The Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York)
Copyright 2006 Post-Standard
All Rights Reserved.
A few mementos remain in the office of Auburn fire Chief Michael Quill.
The shelves are bare, and most of his effects have been removed in anticipation of his last day on Friday.
Quill, 57, a life resident of Auburn, has spent 32 1/2 years in the Auburn Fire Department, the last 11 as chief. He said his leaving is “bittersweet.”
Quill had intended to stay until 2008, but moved up his retirement plans after Mayor Timothy C. Lattimore criticized his management style in an article May10 in The Post-Standard. The following day, Quill announced his retirement, citing Lattimore’s comments as “the last straw.”
“Enough’s enough. Enough’s enough,” Quill said. “For a while at the council meetings, budget meetings, I almost felt that I was on trial for trying to be a good manager. I didn’t expect a slap on the back, but I certainly didn’t expect to be treated like that either.”
The city will replace Quill with an interim chief while it considers possible restructuring plans, said City Manager John Salomone. Lattimore has proposed eliminating the fire chief position and creating a public safety director to oversee both the fire and police departments. Lattimore has stated the position would pay $60,000 annually, which is $23,364 less than Quill receives.
Salomone lauded Quill’s management skills.
“Once you asked Mike to get you information or carry out a task, you never had to ask twice,” Salomone said. “He always followed up on details every day.”
Quill said he’s unsure about the next chapter in his life. He said he’s too young to stay home and sit around. He plans to look for a job, play some golf and do a little traveling.
It’s likely the finality of his retirement will hit him in a week or so, he said.
“I’ve known this place my entire life. Some good instances, some bad ones and some in between,” Quill said. “A lot of memories.”
Although Quill’s father, Ralph Quill, worked for the Fire Department, Quill had never intended to join his father. He
signed up for the Marine Corps after high school and did a yearlong tour of duty in the Vietnam War.
He toyed with entering the field of construction when he was discharged in 1972 and returned home to Auburn.
He found a dearth of job opportunities.
“There was a very large recession in the country. No jobs anywhere,” Quill said. “My mom talked me into taking the civil service exam for the Fire Department. I remember I didn’t want to do it even then, but things became really lean.”
Quill surmised the idea of wearing a uniform and following orders again was behind his resistance.
“For a long time, I was kind of a free spirit when I was discharged from the Marine Corps,” he said. “I did what I wanted when I wanted.”
Quill passed the exam and was hired in November 1973 and found the job suited him.
“I’ve loved it ever since,” he said.
He worked with his father until his father retired in 1985 with 36 years on the job.
Quill moved up the ranks, making lieutenant, captain and assistant fire chief.
When fire Chief Michael Harmon announced his retirement in 1995 after only nine months at the helm, Quill was tapped as his replacement.
Under Quill’s tenure, the Fire Department expanded and underwent structural changes that placed an assistant fire chief on each shift, said retired assistant fire Chief Robert Sloane.
Sloane credited Quill with upgrading the department’s reporting system and purchasing new equipment.
He said Quill was a little tough to work with at first, but matured over the years into an effective leader.
“He ended up being a lot more aware of his good parts and his faults and was able to keep that in check and do a good job,” Sloane said.
The new position of chief was an adjustment, Quill said, using a soccer analogy to describe the shift.
“You’re no longer taking shots at the goal. You’re the goalie,” he said.
A downside to the job was trying to maintain a balance between the interests of the fire unions and interests of management, he said.
When his father retired, he told Quill that he did not miss the job, but missed the people. Quill said he will likely feel the same way.
“I was fortunate to have two families,” Quill said. “My wife and children - and this place.”