After more than three decades serving the Picayune area as a firefighter and EMT, Battalion Chief Dennis Beech will retire from the Picayune Fire Department at the end of the month.
Beech began his career with the local fire department on July 13, of 1984. Fire Chief Keith Brown said Beech started as a firefighter, working his way up the ranks during his career.
In 1993 Beech was promoted to fire engineer. The following year he earned the rank of captain and in 2003 he was promoted to battalion chief.
Beech said he has enjoyed serving the people in his hometown while at the fire department.
During his time with the department he’s seen many things change, including upgrades to equipment and training that has made the job safer.
After his last day at the department, slated to be Feb. 26, Beech said he will focus more on his construction business and travel the country.
What he will miss most about the job is the people he’s worked with and the camaraderie.
“I feel blessed to have been able to serve the community,” Beech said.
His love of the career is one of the reasons he stayed employed with the fire department as long as he did, he said.
Brown said he will miss Beech, who has been a mentor to all who have worked in the department.