Pinellas Park fire Chief Guy Keirn is retiring. His successor is Brett Schlatterer, who is deputy chief of operations.

PINELLAS PARK – After 33 years as a Pinellas Park firefighter, the last three as chief, Guy Keirn is retiring.

His last day will be Jan. 22.

Deputy Chief Brett Schlatterer will take over from Keirn. Schlatterer was out of town and could not be reached for comment. Pinellas Park City Manager Doug Lewis, who made the decision to promote Schlatterer, also could not be reached.

Keirn said he wants to spend more time with his family and his 1-year-old grandson. He and his wife, Susie were sitting down to dinner one night and began discussing retirement and the future, he said. They came to the conclusion that, “It’s time.”

Keirn said he’ll miss the people he’s worked with for so long. Going to work for the Pinellas Park Fire Department, he said, was the “best decision I made in my life.”

He plans to continue repairing a barn on a farm he owns in Georgia and traveling some as well as spending time with family.

Keirn’s retirement letter:

“To All Personnel,

“On Dec. 17, 1984, I began my career as a firefighter for the city of Pinellas Park. Although a career as a public servant was always part of my destiny, the impact of serving others is something greater than I could have ever envisioned. I sit here at my desk typing this letter and I can clearly remember my first day at Fire Station 36. Accepting a career as a Pinellas Park Firefighter is one of the best decisions in my lifetime. With everything that begins, we also experience things that have an ending. It is with great pride, emotion, and also anguish that I announce my plans for retirement or my ending as a Pinellas Park Firefighter. On Jan. 22, 2018 I will visit Pinellas Park Fire Department as a career firefighter for the last time.

“The city of Pinellas Park gave me the opportunity to work with amazing people whose impact shaped the person I am today. The city of Pinellas Park gave me opportunities for me to pursue and achieve my personal goals. The city of Pinellas Park gave me the opportunity as a first responder to serve our great community. For all the relationships, experiences, and opportunities bestowed to me by this great city, I am forever thankful.

“Reflecting back on my Pinellas Park career and what it means to be a firefighter is very hard to explain. One thing I can recall was my experience riding jump seat of the fire engine and the facial expressions of citizens in cars watching as we responded to a large black column of smoke emanating from a building fire. I’m not exactly sure what these individuals were seeing or what they sensed, but I know their expressions of respect and admiration made me proud to be a Pinellas Park firefighter. In life, being a firefighter is truly something special, being a Pinellas Park Firefighter is incredible. If I could be identified for one quality during my thirty plus years of service here in Pinellas Park, it is that I’m remembered as being a great firefighter.

“On behalf of Susie and myself, I want to thank the city of Pinellas Park for the opportunity to serve this great community.”

Photo shows Guy Keirn, left, and Brett Schlatterer.

Pinellas Park Fire | Guy Keirn | Brett Schlatterer | Doug Lewis | Fire Chief Retires | Tampabay News

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