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Memphis Fire Department director set to retire
By Pamela Perkins
The director of the Memphis Fire Department is retiring from the
department for a second time.
Richard Arwood's last official day at the department's
helm is July 15. Memphis City Council members will hear recommendations
about his replacement on Tuesday.
"I think we all need to thank Director Arwood for his years of service,"
said City Council member Shea Flinn, chairman of the council's personnel,
intergovernmental and annexation committee.
"The Fire Department has received the highest customer satisfaction rating
of any department of the city of Memphis.
"Leadership has a lot to do with that. We will miss him and we wish him
the best of luck in his retirement."
Arwood, 58, said he looks forward to retiring.
"I've been doing this for 36 years," he said.
Mayor Willie Herenton appointed him in 2004 to lead the department of
about 1,800 fire and emergency medical personnel.
His proudest accomplishments include the establishment of training and
professional development programs for officers and executives at
Herenton's request, he said.
As the city contends with a paramedic shortage, he started a program
requiring all firefighters to receive paramedic training.
And he added a third heavy rescue rig with equipment that tears through
metal and concrete.
Arwood first retired from the department in 1997 as its chief of training
after 25 years of service that included stints as firefighter, fire
instructor and fire-suppression chief.
Between his jobs at the Memphis Fire Department, he was assistant fire
chief for Collierville and the Memphis metro branch manager for Guardsmark
Inc., and the Iowa Fire Service Institute director at Iowa State
University in Ames.
Contact Pamela Perkins at 529-6514.
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