Kern County Fire Chief Dennis L. Thompson, who presided over the four years of efforts by the Pine Mountain community to secure a firefighter paramedic program, has announced that he will be retiring effective March 14, 2009.

Thompson told the community in 2006 that he would see a paramedic program set in place before he retired. It is scheduled to begin on March 1.

Thompson started as a firefighter over 36 years ago. He rose through the ranks to serve as Fire Chief for five vigorous and often politically tough years.

As a public servant, citizens found him notable for providing straight, unburnished facts and steady guidance despite intense political pressure in Bakersfield to oppose change.

A Mountain Communities event to honor and thank himfor his work is being planned. Watch www.MountainEnterprise.com for details.

This is part of the January 30, 2009 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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