YOUR AD HERE »

Updated: Long resigns as Grand Lake fire chief

Grand Lake Fire Chief Mike Long recently resigned from the district, effective at the end of October.
File photo

Mike Long, Grand Lake’s longtime fire chief, has resigned from his leadership role with the Grand Lake Fire Protection District.

Long tendered his resignation to the Grand Lake Fire District’s Board of Directors on Oct. 1, according to officials from the Grand Lake Fire District. Currently on vacation for the month, Long’s tenure will formally end at the end of October after his vacation time is completed.

“Last week I tendered my resignation from Grand Lake Fire to be effective the end of this month,” Long stated Monday afternoon. “in order to advance my career, I am in the process of pursuing a fire chief position with a larger fire department outside of Grand County.”

Cheryl Dale, district administrator for Grand Lake Fire, confirmed that Long was not placed on administrative leave nor is he under any form of disciplinary action.

Officials from the Grand Lake Fire Protection District said no official plans have yet been made regarding a replacement for Long or a potential interim fire chief. Those issues would be addressed by the district’s board of directors at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting set for 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Grand Lake fire station, according to Dale.

Long began his tenure as chief in February 2003.

“Fifteen plus years as Fire Chief in the Grand Lake community has been very rewarding for me on both a personal and professional level,” Long stated. “There are a lot of great folks in this community and it lessens my burden leaving knowing that the fire district is in very capable hands under the guidance and capabilities of a strong Board of Directors supported by a dedicated membership.”

Long’s departure this fall comes just a few short months after the community of Grand Lake experienced a fire incident, the Golf Course Fire, which threatened hundreds of area homes in the Grand Lake area. The fire was successfully put out without any structures being damaged and any injuries being reported.

“This past summer I was fortunate enough to experience our community and local responders at our extreme best during and after the Golf Course Fire and I will forever remember the outpouring of appreciation that was expressed to Grand Lake Fire and to me personally,” Long stated. “I’m very happy to have spent these years of my career in Grand Lake and wish the best to all.”

Monday night’s board meeting follows two special executive sessions held by the Grand Lake Fire Protect District Board over the preceding two weeks. Special executive sessions, to discuss personnel matters related to the fire chief, were held Oct. 1, the day of Long’s resignation, and the preceding Wednesday, Sept. 26.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

The Sky-Hi News strives to deliver powerful stories that spark emotion and focus on the place we live.

Over the past year, contributions from readers like you helped to fund some of our most important reporting, including coverage of the East Troublesome Fire.

If you value local journalism, consider making a contribution to our newsroom in support of the work we do.