East Otago fire risk management officer Mike Harrison is stepping down from the role he has held for the past three years.
‘‘I've been in fire risk management for three years now and just decided it's time for me to return to operational firefighting,'' Mr Harrison said.
‘‘I'm looking for some new challenges in my career.''
Mr Harrison (34), a firefighter for 18 years, will take up an operational position at the central station.
‘‘It's really good to get out there and talk about fire safety and promote these fire safety messages [so] I'm sad to be leaving the office, but I am looking forward to the challenges of operational duties.''
He will still work as a fire investigator when required.
After moving from Auckland eight years ago, Mr Harrison and his young family made Otago their home, and he had ‘‘absolutely no plans to move anywhere''.
‘‘We just love the place. It was probably one of the best decisions we have made to move down to Otago.''
The highlight of his time as fire risk management officer was being able to be out in the community talking to a range of different people about prevention and safety, he said.
His contribution was not lost on East Otago area commander Laurence Voight.
‘‘Mike has been an incredibly valuable member of ... the management team. He's got clear aspirations to go higher and the way to do that is to get back on the appliance,'' Mr Voight said.
Mr Harrison had played an important role in reduction strategies, including false alarms, structure fires and in the student quarter with the ‘‘sober students initiative'', he said.
Mr Voight hoped a new fire risk management officer would be appointed in the next six weeks.
