Mackenzie Bodell – The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Brett Lacey, Colorado Springs Fire Department’s fire marshal, has announced his time with the agency is ending after 32 years of service.
Lacey started with the department in 1992 as a senior fire protection engineer. It took him just six years to earn the title of fire marshal, holding the position since 1998. Lacey plans to retire from the role on March 28, according to a news release Tuesday.
To get there in the first place, the Fire Department says Lacey gained “boots on the ground” skills from not only working in firefighting, but also in paramedic, deputy fire marshal and fire protection engineer positions.
Lacey’s four-decade career began at Oklahoma State University. Since then, he has held several leadership positions in both local and national incidents, including Hurricane Katrina’s victim recovery and the Waldo Canyon wildfire response.
He also assisted in Colorado Springs investigations like the New Life Church’s and Planned Parenthood’s mass shootings.
“Brett is known by many as a fire service leader, team member, change agent, mentor, educator and friend,” Fire Chief Randy Royal stated in the news release.
“His efforts throughout his career have left a lasting mark on the fire service, not just locally, but also across the state, regionally, and on a national level.”
Lacey has a long list of accomplishments from his role at fire marshal. He worked toward reducing disaster spread by mandating Class A roofing materials in 2002 and hardening structures and vegetation management within hillside areas in 2012.
In its farewell announcement, the Fire Department also praised Lacey for establishing and expanding a nationally renowned and highly reputable wildfire mitigation program from the early 2000s to now.
Lacey comes from a long line of fire protection advocates, with one of his children even taking part in the generational tradition.
“The 32 years of service that he has provided to our community and its citizens have been truly focused on improving our public safety and ensuring the same in an excellent and professional manner,” Roybal said.
“He can be proud of the positive impact that he has had as we take pride in having worked alongside him and appreciate him as a coworker and friend.”
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