It was the end of one career and new beginnings for three others.
On Friday, city fire department assistant chief Jack Mattlin retired after 28 years, with former captain K.J. Watts promoted to replace him.
"There's something for me to do somewhere else," Mattlin said.
That includes running for city council, as he will appear on the May primary ballot for the city's 3rd Ward.
Mattlin received a plaque, his helmet and a framed ax for his retirement. He addressed the crowd of more than 100 at Engine House 1 and looked back on some highlights of his career. He said he'll try to remember the good times and forget about some of the bad things firefighters see on the job.
Fire Chief David Ward said Mattlin is "a real blessing to the city and this department."
Along with Watts' promotion, Slade Schultz was promoted to captain from lieutenant and Jeremy Kraner was promoted to lieutenant from firefighter/paramedic.
Mattlin referred to Watts, Schultz and Kraner in his address.
"There's a reason and a time for leaving," he said. "And mostly for me, I'm tired of being here and want to do something else. We leave here so people can come in and be better than we were."