Broken Arrow Fire Chief Announces Resignation

Broken Arrow Fire Chief Jeff VanDolah has submitted his resignation, according to a news release from the city.

VanDolah served as Broken Arrow's fire chief since April 2011.

"In Jeff's short time as chief, he has made a significant and positive impact on the fire service and others at the city," City Manager Thom Moton said. "I will miss his reasoned approach to problem solving, fire service expertise and wonderful personality."

According to the news release, VanDolah will be leaving the department to take a position in the private sector. The release doesn't say what the position is.

"For the last two years I've been fortunate to have an enormous amount of support from the City Administration and the City Council," VanDolah said.

"I also appreciate the dedication that was shown by all the Fire Department members that moved our organization forward in such a short amount of time. I also had the pleasure of working with the members of the Chamber of Commerce, Broken Arrow Public Schools, and several local business leaders."

VanDolah began his career in 1984 with the Broken Arrow Fire Department as a firefighter. VanDolah served as Assistant Fire Marshal in Investigations with the Tulsa Fire Department before becoming chief in the Broken Arrow department.

4/4/2011 Related Story: Broken Arrow Names New Fire Chief

According to the news release, VanDolah supervised the construction of Station No. 2 as well as a five-story drill tower at the public safety training center, the installation of mobile data computers in all fire department apparatus and helped establish Broken Arrow's first written mutual aid agreement with the City of Tulsa Fire Department.

VanDolah will resign his post effective April 19, 2013.