Chief Superintendent of the New Orleans Fire Department, Tim McConnell, will step down from his position at the end of the week.
Word on immanent retirement of the McConnell came from the office of City Communications Director Beau Tidwell.
During his time as head of the department, NOFD responded to a series of high profile fires and incidents.
This included the seven-alarm fire that destroyed the Rex Mansion on St. Charles Avenue. NOFD also took on two six-alarm blazes at a hotel on Chartes Street in June, and a row of buildings burning along Canal Street in 2016.
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Of course the most public event is the collapse of the Hard Rock Hotel on Canal and Rampart.
McConnell’s time with NOFD began in 1984.
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Mayor LaToya Cantrell today released the following statement on the retirement of New Orleans Fire Department Superintendent Tim McConnell, who will end his service this week.
"Superintendent Tim McConnell has served the NOFD honorably for 36 years, and his dedication and drive have made New Orleans a safer place to live. For the past seven years as Chief, he has guided the New Orleans Fire Department through a historic period of transformation, focusing on fire prevention on the front-end and ensuring his firefighters are given the pay and benefits they deserve. Most recently — his leadership was critical during our response to the Hard Rock collapse. As our Incident Commander on the scene, he helped to bring the precarious cranes down in those early weeks, and later presided over the removal of the remaining victims with dignity and respect. He has been a vital asset to my public safety leadership team, and a good friend.
"God bless you, Chief. You will be missed but not forgotten."
The city will honor McConnell with a retirement ceremony on Friday October 23, when McConnell takes his final walk as chief.