MI Fire Chief Retires after 46 Years

Sept. 24 -- RICHFIELD TWP, MI -- Fire Chief Mike Wright listened to his retirement announcement blare out over the radio scanner following decades of being there for Davison-area residents going through a tough time.

Wright, 64, retired Sept. 17 after spending 46 years on the Davison-Richfield Fire Department, with the last 18 years spent as fire chief of the group overseeing Davison, Davison Township, and Richfield Township.

"During his career, Chief Wright has always maintained a high professional standard that has earned him the respect of his peers and firefighters," noted the radio call as the chief and well-wishers listened during a retirement party at the department's Richfield Township fire station.

Following the footsteps of his late father Roy into the fire service, Wright spent several years as part of the Genesee County Association of Fire Chiefs, serving as president of the group in 1999.

He suffered second- and third-degree burns after being scalded by water during a training accident in August 2001, landing him in the hospital for a period of time, according to Flint Journal records.

His son, Llloyd, is also a firefighter with the Davison-Richfield Fire Department.

"Chief Wright, we wish you a long, healthy, and happy retirement," noted the radio call. "Good luck and enjoy your retirement on behalf of the firefighters in your department and Genesee County Central Dispatch."

Holding back emotions during the call, Wright simply said "wow" at its end and offered a lighthearted moment following applause.

"Like Porky the Pig would say, that's all folks."

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