The San Angelo Fire Department will honor retiring Battalion Chief Ricky Long’s 40 years of service and celebrate the promotion of nine other firefighters at a public reception Friday, Feb. 24.

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The event will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the SAFD’s Central Fire Station, 306 W. 1st St.

The SAFD will also honor the service of three other retiring firefighters: Capt. James Corbett, and drivers Keith Stinnett and Ricky Griffin. Corbett and Stinnett served 28 years with the department. Griffin served 26 years.

Long joined the SAFD as a rookie firefighter in October 1976. He earned promotion to driver in 1980, to lieutenant in 1986 and to captain in 1991. He was promoted to battalion chief in October 1995. Battalion chiefs coordinate all activities of about 50 personnel spread among eight fire stations during a 24-hour shift. They are also the on-scene commander for any incidents.

“Four decades of commitment to the SAFD, to the fire service and to his men is a remarkable achievement worthy of being saluted,” Fire Chief Brian Dunn said. “Though we wish Chief Long well, we’re sorry to see him go. Ricky is a charismatic presence and an unquestionable leader of men.”

The vacancy created by Long’s retirement will be filled by Patrick Brody, whose promotion to battalion chief will be celebrated during the event. Brody joined the SAFD in March 2001. He promoted to driver in 2003, to lieutenant in 2010 and to captain in 2013.

Also celebrating promotions will be:

  • Captains – Zane Teutsch and Stacy Wright.
  • Lieutenants – Dan Bowling and Aaron Flint.
  • Drivers – Larry Hill, David Geron, Logan Mikeska and Jason Strube.

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