Jerry Rosendahl, state's top fire chief, to retire

After nearly four decades of working in Minnesota's fire service, state Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl plans to retire.

The Department of Public Safety announced today that Rosendahl, who has led the State Fire Marshal Division of DPS for a decade, will leave in December.

Rosendahl, who began his career as a volunteer firefighter in Woodbury, Minn., in 1974, has also led the Owatonna Fire Department and served as state director of emergency management.

"I have really enjoyed the thousands of miles I've driven to every corner of this state to meet with firefighters and local officials," Rosendahl said in a statement. "Talking fire prevention, firefighter safety and fire department efficiency is a dream come true."

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mona Dohman announced Friday that Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education Executive Director Bruce West will succeed Rosendahl on Dec. 4.

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