M. Stuart McElhaney, Marion County Fire Rescue’s fire chief, is retiring after more than 21 years of service in Marion County.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with our crews, citizens, staff and county leadership in both of my roles as fire chief and assistant county administrator,” said McElhaney. “I am proud of our achievements and service improvements over the past two decades, and know the department will continue on the path to greater success and service excellence.”
McElhaney first joined Marion County as fire chief in 1994, was promoted to the dual role of fire chief and bureau chief in 2003, and then to fire chief and assistant county administrator in 2009. As fire chief, McElhaney oversaw Marion County Fire Rescue’s transition from a mostly volunteer department to an agency staffed predominantly with career personnel. He also led the department through the Emergency Medical Services Alliance (EMSA) transition by which MCFR assumed countywide ambulance services in 2008.
Other achievements included transitioning rescue services from basic to advanced life support (BLS to ALS), and improving the county’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) public protection class insurance rating, which resulted in direct fire insurance premium savings for taxpayers in MCFR’s coverage area.
McElhaney will retire on July 31, 2015.