(KAIR)--The longtime Fire Chief for the City of Atchison has begun to say goodbye. 

That comes as Mike McDermed announces his plans to retire in June. “I was going to retire next year, for sure, was kind of my planned time, but I've decided to go earlier than that,” he tells MSC News. 

McDermed, who has been with the Fire Department for 45-years, serving as Chief for the past 35, says he's seen many changes during that time, and offers related advice to his as-yet unnamed successor. “Understand that it's really the employees that you have under you that are making the department function,” McDermed says. “Keep an open mind. One thing that I have seen from previous Chiefs that I have been around is that it seems that they seem to be complacent after awhile, kind of stop progressing. When they do that, then the department doesn't progress like it should.” 

McDermed says he has no definite plans for his retirement years, but does say it will involve time with  family. “I've got a son, and I have grandchildren, down in Florida, so I'm sure we'll make more trips down there to see them. My son works for Disney down there so we normally spent a lot of time at the park. We'll probably do some of that, we may do a little bit of traveling.” 

McDermed's retirement becomes effective June 17th. 

Atchison City Manager Trey Cocking tells MSC News interviews for an Interim Fire Chief will be conducted internally, with that selection planned to be announced prior to McDermed's retirement. The search for a permanent replacement will begin in early fall, with whoever is selected likely to begin their time of leadership in early 2017.