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As one of his final acts in office, Mayor Phil Fisher presented Fire Chief Jeff Blackledge with a plaque of appreciation honoring his 40 years of dedicated service to the City of Clinton.

Chief Blackledge’s remarkable journey began with 9 years as a volunteer firefighter, followed by 22 years as a career firefighter, and the last 9 years leading the department as Fire Chief. His steady leadership, deep integrity, and unwavering dedication have left a lasting legacy in Clinton.

As he reflects on his retirement, Chief Blackledge said he’ll miss the people most — the bond built with his team, both those he worked under and those he had the privilege to lead. He also acknowledged the unique rhythm of life in the fire service, always on call and ready to respond at all hours of the day or night. That part, he said, will be hard to let go.

But now, he’s looking forward to a slower pace — traveling with his wife, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and visiting loved ones without watching the clock or answering the call of duty.

The process of hiring a new fire chief is underway, and a candidate will be presented to the Board of Aldermen for approval in the coming weeks.