Jimmy Hoffer retires

Published 11:36 pm Monday, October 5, 2009

Long-time Meridian fire department employee Jimmy Hoffer is retiring after 34 years of service to the community, Meridian Mayor Cheri Barry said Monday.

“He was hired in 1977 as a fire investigator, and that position rolled over into a fire prevention specialist who works with the fire marshal in the fire protection division,” she said.

Hoffer’s retirement will be effective October 15. Barry said Hoffer performed a great service to the people of Meridian during his years with the fire department. “He was kind of known as the face of the fire department, he had been there so long,” she said. “He has protected and served this community for many years and he will be missed in (his service to) the city of Meridian.”

Barry said she does not plan to replace Hoffer with another fire prevention specialist. “We will probably not advertise for the position because be he was one of four fire protection specialists, and we may change that position to something else,” she said. “We are revamping all city departments to see how we can better serve the citizens of Meridian.”