Sapulpa Fire Chief Retires After 33 Years With Department

Sapulpa's Fire Chief had his last alarm call at a special ceremony Tuesday morning. Chief David Taylor retired after 33 years with the department. 

During a speech inside the firehouse, the now-former chief said he's ready to move on to the next chapter. 

"When you spend as much time here as I have it's obviously an emotional thing, but I think it's time to move on and to seek other opportunities," he said.

Some of the other opportunities Taylor mentioned include some home improvement projects at the request of his wife. Additionally, he previously told The Sapulpa Times that he plans to take a fire equipment sales job with NAFECO.

Taylor joined SFD in 1988 at 23 years old but didn't become chief until 25 years later in 2013. He largely credits his success with the department to Joan Riley, Sapulpa's City Manager, and the city council. 

"I've surrounded myself with a lot of really good people that were knowledgeable and helped me to try to get this place where it needed to be."

His retirement comes as the department is undergoing some major updates. Those include renovating Station #3 to make it more spacious to accommodate firefighters and the larger firetrucks.