It has been 12 years since Fishers has hired a Chief of Fire & Emergency Services.  Fishers was still a town when Steve Orusa was hired for that job.  He has been Chief more then 12 years and is now working with the city on a smooth transition to a new Chief as Orusa plans on retiring later this year.

“While I couldn’t be happier for this next chapter in his life or more grateful for his service to our city, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that Chief Orusa’s leadership and vision for building the industry-leading Department we have today will be missed,” said Mayor Scott Fadness in a statement posted to social media Monday.

Chief Orusa is wrapping up a 40 year career in public safety work.

“In the months to come, there will be a change in our Fire and Emergency Services Department,” according to Fadness.  “But we’ve always leaned into opportunities to change to make us better, more efficient, & serve the community. I look forward to supporting Chief Orusa’s transition to retirement.”

Fadness says his administration will work “diligently and methodically” in the search for a new Chief.  Orusa told the mayor he plans on retiring “sometime before late fall.”