February 10, 2025 – Decatur Fire Chief Jeff Abbott will retire this March after serving for 30 years with the Decatur Fire Department.
Abbott joined DFD in 1995 and rose the ranks to Lieutenant in 1999, Fire Captain in 2006, and Deputy Fire Chief in 2007. He was appointed Fire Chief in December 2014.
“Jeff has 30 years of dedicated service with the majority being in a leadership position and he is going to be tough to replace,” said Decatur City Manager Tim Gleason. “I wish him all the best in this next chapter of life.”
Some of his greatest accomplishments include the launch of Computer Aided Dispatching (CAD) of the closest fire apparatus and adding Mobile Data Computers (MDCS) in the fire apparatus, building three new fire stations and remodeling the other four stations, and leading Cancer Prevention efforts for firefighters.
Abbott will retire effective March 15, 2025 – exactly 30 years after starting his career with DFD on March 15, 1995.
A new Fire Chief will be appointed by the City Manager in the near future.
