After 37 Years, Fire Chief Mroz Says Farewell

Lawrence Mroz has been the fire chief in Lakewood for a quarter of a century — he's been a firefighter in Lakewood for 37 years. Mroz has served under seven Lakewood mayors in his time here and been to more than 500 city council meetings.

He's also put out a few fires.

After nearly four decades of service, Mroz has retired his post from the . Fire Marshal Scott Gilman has taken over the chief's duties.

"It's been a privilege to serve (Lakewood)," Mroz said. "I am also very honored to have been a member in the Lakewood Fire Department. I feel I have served alongside some of the finest men and women in fire service — and served the citizens of the great city of Lakewood.

"I'm going to miss it," he added.

Mroz — who took his vacation time in the days leading up to his official retirement — will be missed at City Hall. And in the community.

The chief was honored at a recent council meeting. He received a cake and a warm round of applause from those in attendance.

"I am assuming that he has served as fire chief longer than anyone else in the history of Lakewood," said Mayor Ed FitzGerald, who is also leaving the city at the end of the year. (When asked how many mayors Mroz has served under, the jovial chief replied "50").

 "He is really an exemplary public servant," FitzGerald said. "He has had such an impact on this community … I could have never asked for a better fire chief. He's (given) so much fantastic service to the city."

FitzGerald's replacement to the mayoral post, , echoed those sentiments.

Summers said his first encounter with Mroz was during a strategic planning exercise in 2005. Summers said the chief made an impression.

"He was very knowledgeable, and very open to sharing that knowledge with the community," he said. "I think that's the hallmark of how he behaved throughout his career. He was very competent, very dedicated and very experienced. And we're going to miss that."

There's one upside to Mroz's departure, Summers added. "There's some very good talent coming up. (Chief Mroz) was very excited about the new leadership in the fire department, which he helped develop. I think he left the department in good hands."