Mountain Brook honors retiring fire chief

Even though Robert “Zeke” Ezekiel is readying to leave his role of Mountain Brook fire chief, his influence on the Fire Department will continue.

At a retirement celebration on Feb. 25, members of the Mountain Brook community gathered to thank Ezekiel for his dedication to the city and the department. Ezekiel has been Mountain Brook’s fire chief for 22 years and three months, and he is set to retire on March 1.

“It’s a bittersweet day,” City Manager Sam Gaston said. “We thank Zeke for all he’s done with the improvements and the professionalism he has brought to the city government and the Fire Department.”

Those who spoke about Ezekiel during the retirement celebration noted the improvement he has made in the department’s resources as well as in the department’s values.

In the last 22 years, Ezekiel added ambulance services, coordinated the design and construction of the fire training facility, helped design the city municipal complex and fire station No. 1, and improved the department’s ISO rating to a class 2 in 2016.

“There’s no question — everybody here in this room knows for a fact Mountain Brook is a better place for your service,” Councilman Billy Pritchard said.

Battalion Chief Stacey Cole said that when he started at the Mountain Brook Fire Department in 1990, the opinion toward customer service was much different. One day while looking for jumper cables to help an elderly woman, Cole said he was told they did not jump-start cars  -- that it was not part of their job.

Since Ezekiel became fire chief, Cole said that opinion has changed dramatically. Now, firefighters will help with things that do not involve fighting fires or medical concerns, and they will do so without being told.

“The biggest things, chief, is that you’ve made us a values-driven organization,” Cole said.

David Kennedy, another battalion chief and the department's training/safety officer, thanked Ezekiel for all of his support and his help in implementing plans for improvement.

Chris Mullins, who will become fire chief following Ezekiel’s retirement, thanked him for his guidance through the last 20 years.

“He’s not only been a boss, a chief, a mentor, but he’s been a friend,” Mullins said. "I appreciate what you’ve done for me and what you’ve done for this department.”

The best word to sum up Ezekiel’s character would be “integrity,” Mullins said, and that is a value they share.

“Someone told me I’ve got big shoes to fill, and I said, ‘Well, he only wears a nine and a half, so they’re not that big,’ but figuratively, I’ve got some big shoes to fill, and I appreciate what he’s done for us,” Mullins said.

Ezekiel thanked city officials for their love of Mountain Brook and their shared values. Working for and with those who truly love their job and serve for free had been a pleasure, he said.

“You have audacity,” he said of the mayor and City Council. “If anything is going to get done, someone’s got to have audacity.”

He also thanked Gaston, who has been with Mountain Brook for a few months longer than he has. Working with Gaston had been a partnership, and Ezekiel said he would miss having the opportunity to work with someone so much like a brother to him.

“Literally, he’s been the best boss I’ve ever had,” Ezekiel said.

Ezekiel also thanked the department and everyone with whom he has worked in the last 22 years. He felt like he learned more from the other firefighters than he was able to give back to them, and he appreciated their dedication and hard work.

“It has been my privilege to be your fire chief for all these years and to serve you for all of these years,” he said.