Pueblo fire chief retires after 38 years of service

After nearly four decades of service — and not a single sick day — Fire Chief Dale Villers is retiring.

Villers, 64, finished his 38 years with the city fire department on Friday. When asked what led him to join the department in 1977, Villers replied, “I was looking for a job,” and laughed. “I enjoyed the work. I found it fun, interesting and rewarding.”

Villers quickly moved up the ranks, promoted to fire engineer in 1986, fire captain in 1992 and deputy fire chief in 2007.

He was promoted to fire chief on June 2, 2014, and it proved to be a nonstop week. That same day, rescue crews responded to a drowning in the Arkansas River. The following day, several businesses burned down on Third Street and Court Street.

“It was a challenge,” Villers said. “It made me stop and think. It was kind of promotion by fire – literally.”

Villers said he never imagined he would be with the department for 38 years, let alone retire as chief. While he plans to retire in Pueblo, he said it’s the people he’s met over the years that he’ll miss most.

“I’ve met a lot of people over the years. Not only the firefighters, but citizens,” he said. “I walk the neighborhood at lunchtime.”

He plans to spend his retirement enjoying the outdoors. “Gardening. Golfing. I’ll be outdoors. I should have a better tan,” he joked.

City Manager Sam Azad appointed Shawn Shelton as interim chief while the city conducts a nationwide search for a new chief.