O'Brien to retire as Melrose fire chief

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Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

By Matt Byrne, Town Correspondent

The City of Melrose announced Wednesday the retirement of Fire Chief John O'Brien, after 35 years of service with the department.

"All I have wanted to be professionally in my life is a Melrose firefighter," O'Brien said in a statement. "I reached that goal and was able to follow in the footsteps of my grandfather, who was a fire captain for the City of Melrose, and my father, who was the longest serving Fire Chief in the City of Melrose."

O'Brien, appointed as a firefighter in 1983 before working his way through the ranks to chief in 2003, said he will spend more time with his family.

Melrose Mayor Rob Dolan said O'Brien brought the city department into the new century with updated equipment and practices.

Dolan said he would appoint a new chief from the Melrose ranks by June 2.

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