Fire chief to retire / LJWorld.com

Lawrence and Douglas county

World Online staff

July 19, 2005

Lawrence Fire Chief Jim McSwain will retire in September, after 27 years in the post, city officials announced today.

"Jim's service has been a tremendous benefit to both the Lawrence community and the men and women of his department," said Mike Wildgen, city manager. "His commitment and dedication is greatly appreciated and his impact on emergency services has been extremely valuable."

McSwain is the top official of the Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical Department. Since taking the post in 1978, McSwain has emphasized the need for training and education to prepare people for fire service.

McSwain was honored as 2003 Fire Chief of the Year by the Kansas Fire Chiefs Assn. He was recognized for more than 25 years of fire service.

In 1997, McSwain oversaw the combination of city fire and county medical services, when the Douglas County Ambulance Service merged with the city fire department to create Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical. The department has grown from 62 employees in the fire department in 1978 to a fire medical department of 130 staff today with all personnel cross trained to provide both fire and emergency medical service response.

McSwain was also awarded the Buford M. Watson, Jr. Public Service Award by the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce in April 2005.

Not just a firefighter, Chief McSwain has been in fire service since 1962 with a career that includes teaching as an assistant professor at Oklahoma State University Technical Institute and Monroe Community College and service to the Fire Department of Montgomery, Ala., as a captain, inspector, firefighter, planning officer and company officer. He has also been involved with professional associations at the local, state, national and international level.