Cedar Rapids fire chief Havlik set to retire

Cedar Rapids Fire Chief Steve Havlik will retire in March after nearly 30 years on the department.

Havlik, who oversaw evacuations and rescues during disastrous flooding in 2008, became the department's 11th paid chief when he was promoted on Nov. 18, 1998. The city plans to begin a search for his successor next month.

Havlik joined the department as a firefighter on Oct. 13, 1980. He was promoted to Lieutenant, Captain, Training Chief and Assistant Chief before he became Fire Chief. His final day on the job will be March 1, 2010.

Under Havlik's leadership, the fire department became a sponsoring organization of Urban Search and Rescue Iowa Task Force-1, a team that's capable of responding to terrorist attacks, aircraft accidents, structural collapses, grain elevator explosions and natural or man-made disasters. The special operations and hazardous materials teams were also upgraded.

In 2000, fire Stations Nos. 8 and 9 became provisional paramedic level stations in 2000, expanding emergency medical care to areas further away from hospitals.

Also, the department's public education program also expanded and a Citizens' Fire Academy was created to foster public awareness. The Honor Guard, which performs ceremonial duties at memorials, funerals and special events, also was expanded to 20 members under Havlik's direction.

During the flooding in 2008, Havlik was incident commander at the Emergency Operations Center for nearly two weeks. The Fire Department executed 423 boat rescues and no fatalities were recorded during the disaster.

A public open house to recognize Havlik's career is planned for mid-February or early March.

Fire chief history

Here is a list of all the fire chiefs to lead the Cedar Rapids Fire Department:

• 1893 – 1897 L.M. Ayers
• 1897 – 1900 John Starman
• 1900 – 1909 Joseph Cook
• 1909 – 1921 W.A. Mohrbacher
• 1921 – 1927 James Kennedy
• 1927 – 1932 Paul Dolan
• 1932 – 1953 Emil Kohout
• 1953 – 1971 Jess Hunter
• 1971 – 1991 Edsel McMickle
• 1991 – 1998 Joseph Gorman
• 1998 – 2010 Stephen Havlik