Montgomery Fire Chief Miford Jordan announces retirement after 40 years with department
Montgomery Fire / Rescue Chief Miford Jordan is retiring after spending 40 years with the department and the last 18 as chief.
He served five mayors in his four decades-long career. His retirement is effective Aug. 1, a MFRD news release stated.
His career had many milestones: First Black man to serve as deputy fire chief, first Black man to serve as fire chief and first Black man to serve 40 years in a career with the city. To put his long career in perspective, he is the third firefighter to achieve a 40-year career with the city.
He has been chief for the last 18 years and seven months.
Under his tenure as chief, the department received an ISO Rating of One, the best ranking available. The insurance industry rating looks at a department's staffing, training and equipment along with other infrastructure such as a city's water system. The rating is used by insurance companies to set the cost of homeowners' insurance policies.
Along the way, the department purchased new equipment, made donations of about $2 million to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, $700,000 to United Way and $50,000 to numerous cancer research organizations. Jordan also worked for higher pay for fire fighters and putting in physical fitness programs.
More: $19M fire station opens in west Montgomery
On May 9, the city opened Fire Station Number 10, its largest station, a $19 million investment that leaders hope will spur more growth in the west side.
The station, at 1920 S. Court St., is 22,000 square feet facility.
Alex Gladden contributed to this report. Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery Fire Chief Miford Jordan announces retirement
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