SCFD chief plans May departure

Jim Sebert, the only chief the Sun City Fire Department has ever known, will leave the position in May, a decision he said he did not come to lightly. In fact, Sebert said, he is not completely convinced he wants to leave.

"I'm regretting the decision, sure," Sebert said. "Not because I think I made the wrong one, but because I love it here so much. I don't think I'm entirely ready to leave. Part of me wants to keep going, you know? But it's the right time for me and my family."

The decision was formally announced at Tuesday's meeting of the Sun City Fire Board. Assistant Chief Steve Morrow will retire the same day as Sebert - May 31 - and Assistant Chief Jim Haner will take over as the new chief.

Sebert said the decision to leave was one he made years ago, and he did it with a specific purpose in mind.

"The most important thing for me is my family, and that's why I'm leaving now," Sebert said. "I have a young daughter, 13, and she'll be getting ready to go into high school. I didn't want to retire while she was in high school and throw her personal life all out of whack."

Sebert said he has entertained the idea of moving out of the area, and he wanted to wait until the best time for his family to do that.

"If I hung on to the job for another couple years, then decided I want to move away, that would not be fair to her," Sebert said. "High school is a very important time in a young person's life, and I don't want my plans to disrupt that for her."

While he said he knows he is making the right decision, Sebert did not hesitate to say how much he would miss the job.

"It's been a very rewarding 35 years of service for me, especially the years I spent here in Sun City," Sebert said. "I'll miss the job and I'll miss the community, but I am also looking forward to what my future will bring."

Haner has been with the department since 1987. Sebert said knowing Haner will take over makes him much more comfortable with his decision.

"I'm excited for the department," Sebert said. "The education and experience he brings to the table will be a great asset. He is going to make a fantastic chief."

In all the discussion of Sebert's departure and Haner's appointment, the retirement of Morrow has garnered much less attention. That, Sebert said, is a shame.

"We started this department together, he and I, and this department is where it is today because of him," Sebert said. "I wouldn't have been able to do what I've done without the help of Chief Morrow. He has been just as important to this department as me. Without him we would not have the kind of safety record we have."

Jeff Dempsey may be reached at 623-876-2531 or jdempsey@yourwestvalley.com.