Hollywood Park Fire Chief John Butrico announced Sept. 1 he plans to retire Oct. 31, after 36 years of service to Hollywood Park.

In a news release, Mayor Sean Moore expressed gratitude to Butrico for his years of public service to the community.

“[Butrico] has shown tremendous dedication to the fire department he has led and to responding to the needs of our community. We wish him all the best in his retirement,” Moore said in a statement.

Butrico started with Hollywood Park as a volunteer firefighter in 1987, then became a full-time firefighter in 1994 and has since held every position in the fire department, including firefighter, engineer, lieutenant, assistant fire chief, fire chief, fire marshal, fire inspector, peace officer, EMT and emergency management coordinator.

“I have been truly blessed to serve my entire career in Hollywood Park. I will miss my fellow employees, as those from all departments demonstrate their dedication to the town,” Butrico said in a statement.

The release states, since becoming fire chief in 2005, Butrico was instrumental in the city’s purchase of a new pumper truck, improving the town’s Insurance Services Office rating, remodeling the fire station for individual bunk rooms, creating Santa Claus home visits with residents, coordinating the holiday parade, expanding the fire station bay and purchasing a new platform truck.

Butrico’s certifications include training facility instructor, hazardous materials awareness technician, EMT, advanced firefighter, advanced instructor, advanced peace officer and master arson investigator.

According to the release, other accomplishments during Butrico’s stint include obtaining grants to buy a backup generator, a woodchipper, automated external defibrillators, radios and spare bunker gear for each firefighter.