Michael St. John, a battalion chief with the Mill Valley Fire Department, is set to retire this month after more than three decades fighting fires.
Colleagues on Monday recognized St. John for his dedication to the community, noting that he has served as commander of the hazardous materials team, director of Mill Valley’s community emergency response team and a volunteer unit leader for Marin Search and Rescue. He has been lauded for his success as a teacher who has trained hundreds of firefighters and rescuers in how to effectively respond to emergencies.
“Chief St. John’s real success lies in the people he affected — the people he made, trained, created, prepared, engaged and led,” Mill Valley fire Chief Tom Welch said Monday at a City Council meeting, where the retiring firefighter was honored for his lengthy career in the community.