RAPID CITY - Fire Chief Gary Shepherd announced his retirement, effective Jan. 7.

Mayor Alan Hanks said Shepherd, who was appointed fire chief in July 1998, has served the community well during his 32-year career, and it will be tough to fill his shoes.

"Gary has worked his way up through the ranks," Hanks said. "He's done a tremendous job as far as education, as far as making sure our fire department is as well trained as any department in the region. He's done a great job."

Hanks said the retirement was not a surprise; he's been aware it was coming for quite a while.

"The chief was kind enough to work with us on timing to make sure we have plenty of time to get a new chief in," he said.

The city has posted the fire-chief vacancy on the Internet and with a regional association of fire chiefs. Hanks hopes it doesn't take as long to appoint a new fire chief as it did to appoint a new police chief. Fortunately, he said, Shepherd provided the city plenty of notice before his last day in January.

"We have plenty of time," Hanks said.

The city will accept applications through Oct. 12, then an interview team will review applicants and conduct interviews and a series of assessment tests with potential candidates.

The Rapid City Department of Fire & Emergency Services currently employs more than 130 men and women in three divisions.