10-02-2025
Decatur Fire Chief announces retirement
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Decatur Fire Chief will retire exactly 30 years after starting his career with the department.
On Monday, the City announced that Decatur Fire Chief Jeff Abbott will retire March 15. He first joined the department in 1995. In 1999, he rose in the ranks to become Lieutenant and was promoted to Fire Captain in 2006. The next year, Abbott was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief and in 2014, he was appointed to Fire Chief.
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'Jeff has 30 years of dedicated service with the majority being in a leadership position and he is going to be tough to replace,' Decatur City Manager Tim Gleason said. 'I wish him all the best in this next chapter of life.'
According to the City of Decatur, some of Abbott's greatest accomplishments include the launch of Computer Aided Dispatching (CAD), adding Mobile Data Computers (MDCS) in the fire apparatus, the building of three new fire stations and the remodeling of four stations. Abbott was also recognized by the City for his efforts in leading cancer prevention efforts for firefighters.
The City Manager will appoint a new Fire Chief 'in the near future,' according to the City.
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