Salem Fire Chief Mike Knode Announces Retirement

Salem Fire Chief Mike Knode Photo Courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM) - Salem Fire Chief Mike Knode has announced his retirement after more than 31 years of service in the Salem Fire Department. Knode will retire on June 30th, 2006, after spending the last five and one-half years as Salem's Fire Chief.

Knode originally started working for the City as a Fire Fighter on January 27th, 1975. He was promoted up through the ranks, becoming a Fire Equipment Operator in 1980 and a Fire Captain in 1982. Knode then advanced to the rank of Fire Battalion Chief, and after nine years in that position, he replaced Casey Jones as the Fire Chief in December of 2001.

Chief Knode is one of the most respected Fire Chiefs in the State of Oregon. Under his management the Salem Fire Department has become one of the few Oregon fire departments to receive national accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditations International.

Knode was also instrumental in the transition of the ambulance service from a departmental operation to the Rural Metro Ambulance Service, which saves the taxpayers thousands of dollars annually. As a result of the move to Rural Metro Ambulance Service, the City will open a tenth Fire Station in the near future.

Knode has also been actively involved in the preparation of the proposed Fire Bond measure that will be on the November ballot. This measure, if passed by the citizens, would include the addition of two new fire stations and the replacement of an aging fleet of fire-fighting equipment.

He will continue part-time after his retirement until a nationwide search is concluded and a new Fire Chief is appointed. The process to replace Chief Knode will take approximately three to six months. The nationwide recruitment effort for the position will begin in June.

Knode states that "I could simply never put into words the gratitude and appreciation I feel towards the citizens of Salem and those I have worked with, for the wonderful opportunities that employment with the City has Salem given to me and my family. I guess the best I can do is to express a heartfelt “Thank You.' This was a difficult decision for me. The Salem Fire Department is my second family, and I will greatly miss my association with one of the finest group of fire service personnel nywhere."

City Manager Bob Wells said, "Chief Knode is one of the most competent managers I have ever had the opportunity to work with. He has been a strong community supporter and an asset to our organization. He has also been a strong advocate for providing the best possible fire services to our citizens. He is an excellent manager and the City will miss his expertise and enthusiasm."

The City is planning a community reception for Chief Knode. The date, time and location will be announced soon.