Baltimore Fire Chief Stepping Down

(UPDATE 5:32 p.m.)—Baltimore Fire Chief James Clack is stepping down to spend more time with his family in Minnesota after just five years on the job, according to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s office.

The administration announced Clack’s departure in a news release on Friday afternoon, and his last day on the job will be July 26.

"It has been an honor to serve with the men and women of the Baltimore City Fire Department," Clack said in a news release. "In Baltimore, I had an opportunity to lead the most professional and courageous fire department in the United States. Under pressures from Mother Nature and the global economy, we stood strong, acted with integrity, and built on the legacy of this great urban fire department."

Clack had served as the fire chief in Minneapolis before he was hired to head Baltimore’s department in 2008. Assistant Chief Jeffery Segal will take over as the acting chief while the city searches for a permanent replacement.

Clack’s tenure as the city’s top firefighter has been impacted by some controversial decisions by the mayor, such as closing firehouses. Now the administration wants to change the shifts firefighters work to a 24-hour shift, followed by 48 hours off. Currently firefighters work two 10-hour shifts and two 14-hour shifts a week. 

He is also the latest in a string of high profile departures from powerful positions in the city. Earlier this year schools CEO Andres Alonso announced he was stepping down and last year former Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld also retired.