Lake Country Reporter

Richards resigns as Delafield fire chief

Posted: Dec. 1, 2010

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MIKE SCHIRMER/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Town of Delafield Fire Chief Dean Richards will resign after 16 1/2 years serving with the department.

MIKE SCHIRMER/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Town of Delafield Fire Chief Dean Richards will resign after 16 1/2 years serving with the department.

Longtime Town of Delafield Fire Chief Dean Richards is resigning, effective Dec. 31.

Richards said he has been "wrestling" with the decision to resign for some time and "I continue to wrestle with it at this moment."

A key moment in his decision making came after the Nov. 2 election in which town residents shot down a referendum by nine votes for a new $4 million firehouse off Golf Road.

"The referendum was one of the straws that broke the camel’s back," Richards said.

"I must be honest in reporting that the referendum and other factors surrounding our attempt to build a new Station 1 was quite simply the last straw for me," Richards wrote. "Based on recent meetings, I have had to acknowledge that we may have to go back to the drawing board and start a 10-year process with five design iterations all over again. Humbly, I admit that I simply don't have the energy to do this, and I would be a detriment to the process if I stayed around."

"...the failure to address Station 1's problems has just claimed its first casualty," he added.

Read more on this story in the Thursday Lake Country Reporter.

Tami Klink - Dec 01, 2010 6:42 AM

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Chief Richards should be congratulated for being one of the many reasons that the TDFD has been so successful in addressing the many needs of the area residents. His ability to look ahead in all situations concerning emergency services, training and future needs was a catalyst in retaining and keeping many of the members of the department. It was a pleasure to serve this department with him at the helm. Best wishes, Chief! And, thanks for all that you did.

Matt4320 - Dec 01, 2010 9:48 AM

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I have the utmost respect for Chief Richards in his decision. I know it was hard for him and will be hard for him to be on the sidelines while there's an emergency happening around him. Chief Richards has been in the ditches-so to speak-and has worked his way to the top. He has done one hell of a job while Chief and because of him and his work with the TDFD they have a very well-respected Department. Though I was never on HIS Department I have worked at his side in numerous scenarios and he always has a cool head and a great plan in his head-I don't know any other Chief in the Lake Country area that can do as great of a job by themselves as Richards does on a daily basis. His resignation should be a little scary for the Town residents! His Department will recover in time, but it may take a toll first-thus resulting in Town residents being put at the "business end" of a restructuring Department.
Good Luck, Chief! You will be missed!
IIWII - Dec 01, 2010 11:08 AM

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"claimed it first casualty" Four words have never said so much. As a resident I can only hope the chief is the only loss and that the residents will now put selfish, self-serviing issues behind them. We need to look out for what is best for the entire community. We had a good thing with our fire department, just ask anyone like me who has called 911. I can only hope those who remain will continue to have a bigger heart an those who chose not to support them. They simple deserve more and better from us. This is a terrible day for the town.
Thank you for all you have done for the town of delfield, Chief Richards.
Colleen Stacey - Dec 01, 2010 11:39 AM

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Dear Chief Dean Richards:
Being a daughter of a former City of Delafield Fire Chief and mother of a current EMT/firefighter that works for you, you have my utmost respect, appreciation and love for what you people do for your community. I'm so sorry to see you go and so deeply sorry for the verbal abuse you have had to endure from certain town residents over this fire station. I'll just never understand, since I was a child, why fire departments have to fight such battles to get what they need to "voluntarily" protect their communities. You have done a wonderful job, good luck to you and you will be terribly missed by so many. Colleen Albers Stacey

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