Las Vegas Fire Chief Myers announces retirement
Las Vegas Fire Chief Mike Myers announced Tuesday that he plans to retire after more than a quarter-century with the department.
Myers, whose last day will be Feb. 7, announced the decision through a news release from the city and wasn't available for an interview.
Myers started with the department as a firefighter in 1986 and served as a paramedic, fire training officer assistant chief and deputy chief before being sworn in as chief in January 2011.
His tenure has included several run-ins with International Association of Firefighters Local 1285, the firefighter union, over collective bargaining issues.
Most recently Myers worked with city officials on a $155,000 study of the department by the International Association of City and County Managers, ostensibly to review the department for efficiency and effectiveness. The union objected to the study, saying it wasn't needed.
In addition to the debate over the study, the union and city management are at an impasse over a labor contract.
In September the union issued a vote of "no confidence" in Myers. Despite managing the department during a period of labor disputes, Myers has received support from city officials, and the Fire Department as a whole is highly regarded for quick response times and firefighting effectiveness.
In the statement Myers attributed the decision to retire to his wife's acceptance of a new job out of state.
"My wife was offered a job in Chicago, which is a wonderful career opportunity for her," Myers said. "With over 25 years of service to LVFR, the timing is right for my family and me to make this change. I am very proud that the LVFR team has continued to excel during my time here with performance improvements, infrastructure improvements, improved policy and budgetary savings."
According to a database of city employee salaries, Myers' gross wages in the most recent year were $207,392. When he retires, he will be eligible to receive a payout for unused vacation hours, city spokesman Jace Radke said.
The amount of hours for which he could be paid is not yet available, but the number of hours is capped at 250.
Executive and appointed employees are not allowed to cash out unused sick time, Radke said.
Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285 .
