Cedar Rapids Fire Chief announces retirement Mark English had been on medical leave for six months

Cedar Rapids Fire Chief Mark English announced his retirement Tuesday from the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, effective immediately. His retirement comes after more than six months of medical leave. English had been on paid long-term illness and injury leave since March 6, according to the city, though city officials have repeatedly declined to discuss the nature of the illness or injury.

In his absence, the department has been led by Assistant Fire Chief Greg Smith, who leads the operations division, and Assistant Fire Chief Curtis Hopper, who leads the support division. Smith was named interim chief Tuesday.

In a letter to fire department personnel, English said his health is preventing him from returning to his position.

'I am sorry to say that in the last six months that I have been off on medical leave, I have come to the conclusion that my health is precluding me from returning to the position of being your fire chief,” he wrote. 'I am grateful for all the friends that I have made during my 32 years with the Cedar Rapids Fire Department. I appreciate all that has been done and I hope the best for you in the future.”

'We wish Mark well in his retirement,” City Manager Jeff Pomeranz said. 'I am proud of the excellent work being conducted daily by the women and men of the Cedar Rapids Fire Department. I have confidence in all Fire Department employees and their ability to manage work in the department while we search for a new chief to serve our community.”

English has been with the Cedar Rapids Fire Department since April 21, 1986, climbing the ranks as firefighter, lieutenant, captain, chief training officer, special operations/hazardous materials/technical rescue chief, battalion chief/shift commander, chief of operations and assistant fire chief.

After Steve Havlik retired as fire chief in 2010, English was among seven finalists for the position. He was passed over in favor of Stephen Reid, a former top official in the Washington, D.C., fire department, but English quickly was tapped when Reid departed after only nine months.

The City Council confirmed the city manager's appointment of English as fire chief on July 26, 2011. His annual salary was $148,366. English played a key role in keeping the city safe during the 2016 flood. English also serves on the Linn County Emergency Management Commission and has been the mayor's designee to the agency for more than 11 years.

City officials will work with the Civil Service Commission to conduct a national search for a new fire chief, according to a news release.

City Manager Jeff Pomeranz on Tuesday named Smith to serve as interim fire chief. Interim appointments may be made for 90 days, according to Iowa Code.

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