The first secretary ever hired for the Effingham Fire Department will retire in August.
Executive Secretary Joan Buzzard plans to end her career on Aug. 24 after 21 years of service.
Her announcement to retire came days after Fire Chief Joe Holomy announced he would retire on the same date and about a month after former City Administrator Jim Arndt left his post.
Buzzard, 63, said she has been considering retirement for a few months. But once she learned Holomy planned to retire in late August, that helped seal her decision.
“Once I learned he was going, I thought it was time to retire,” said Buzzard. “It helped me make up my mind.”
Mayor Jeff Bloemker said having both the chief’s position and secretary’s position open at the same time will require extra recruiting effort, but once in place, the two will bring a “fresh presence” to the department. Interim City Administrator Kelsey Lock will be responsible for hiring a replacement secretary for the fire department.