After 33 years with the Mt. Vernon Fire Department, Fire Chief Jim Brown is retiring. Brown’s retirement letter was accepted by the city’s fire and police commission on Monday. His last day with the department is Thursday.

Brown told WMIX News he plans on spending more time with his family and traveling once he retires. He says the fire department has meant a lot to him and he enjoyed making a career out of fighting fires.

Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Sargent will assume the chief’s role temporarily until a permanent fire chief is named.