Merced fire chief retires after 25 years

Merced Fire Department’s chief abruptly retired Thursday, according to officials.

Merced Fire Chief Shawn Henry has 25 years of firefighting experience with the city of Merced, according to a news release. City Manager Steve Carrigan confirmed Henry’s last day was Thursday, the same day he announced plans to retire.

Henry, 53, has served with the city department since 1991 and was chief for about 20 months before retiring, totaling 32 years as a firefighter in the state. He took over in January 2015.

“I’ve been contemplating it for a little while. I haven’t really let it out to a lot of people,” Henry said Thursday. “I’ve been doing this for 32 years and I think it’s kind of that time for me to go ahead and step aside.”

Henry said that having more time for his family and the ability to travel clinched his decision to retire.

Deputy Chief Billy Alcorn is the acting chief. In the coming months, Carrigan said, the city will begin the process to find a permanent chief.

Henry worked his way up through the ranks in Merced. He had prior experience with the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Madera Fire Department.

Working alongside Merced’s firefighters has been an honor, Henry said. During his tenure as chief, the city did away with its “brownout” policy, when a fire engine would occasionally be left unstaffed to reduce spending on overtime hours.

Henry said the next chief and other city leaders face challenges as the city continues to expand north toward UC Merced and east toward Merced Gateway, a 77-acre retail and housing project.

He said “one of the biggest challenges” for the next fire chief will be determining where to place new stations.

Those stations also need funding for crews and firefighting equipment, he added.

Henry led the development and implementation of the city’s smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm programs before he was chief. He also started a global positioning system partnership to allow firefighters to quickly locate the nearest city fire hydrants.

Henry brought the department’s safety clothing into compliance and standardized personal protective equipment. He played a key role in developing the Community Emergency Response Team and updating the city’s emergency planning, according to city officials.

The previous chief, Mike McLaughlin, left in early 2014 and it took about a year for the city to replace him.

Carrigan said he’s known Henry for several years, predating his time as Merced’s city manager. “If I had to say one thing about Shawn Henry,” Carrigan said, “I’d say he’s a good fire chief but he’s an even better man.”

This story was originally published September 1, 2016 at 4:27 PM with the headline "Merced fire chief retires after 25 years."