TV20 received this memo from Alachua County Fire Chief Will May. This is the complete text of the county-wide memo sent this morning. TV20 will have more on this story as it develops.

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Good morning:
 
Today I am announcing my plan to retire from the active Fire and Emergency Services effective January 31, 2010.  The decision to retire has not been an easy one, or a decision I have made in haste.  On July 8, 2009 I completed my 19th year as Director of Alachua County’s Department of Public Safety (formerly Department of Fire Rescue Services), and on September 21, 2009 I completed 34 years of service to the greater Alachua County community.  I began my public safety career on September 22, 1975 when I affiliated with the City of Gainesville Fire Department as a Firefighter.  I had promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief of the Gainesville Fire Rescue Department when I accepted an appointment to become the Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Services for Alachua County on July 9, 1990.
 
My career has been both interesting and rewarding, filled with a few disappointments, but more importantly may triumphs, accomplishments and memories.  I am privileged to have had the opportunity to serve with hundreds of Fire and Emergency Services professionals through some really tough times and threats to our Alachua County community, and through the more pleasant non-threatening times where we provided critical emergency response services to our citizens and visitors, and planned for the next potential disaster, and trained to do our jobs more effectively.  I appreciate your professionalism and dedication to serving the residents of and visitors to Alachua County, and your support of my office and dedication to the Department of Public Safety.
 
In retirement I will continue to be a resident of Alachua County, to have a vested interest in the Department of Public Safety, and the County as a whole.  I will spend much more time with my family.  I also plan to travel more frequently and for longer periods of time.  I will also continue to work through my affiliation with several national groups working to make the environment of the Firefighter and Medic more safe, and our community more sustainable and safe from human and natural caused threats to life and property.
 
I will miss the day-to-day activities in the office and Department, and the many opportunities to serve you.
 
Thank you,
 
Chief Will May
Public Safety Director