Many things have changed after 37 years in the volunteer firefighter service, Jubal Ryan told the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors. For him, it was time to retire.

“I started in a day when you would jump on the back of the firetruck and hang on for dear life,” Ryan told supervisors. “You don’t do something for 37 years without it being a passion.”

Ryan volunteered as the fire chief of Lauderdale for the last decade after joining the station in 2000. Previously, Ryan volunteered as a firefighter in Kansas.

Supervisors named Feb. 4 Jubal Ryan Day, honoring Ryan’s years of service. Ryan will continue to work as a paramedic but will step down at the Lauderdale fire station.

“Much like Mr. Ryan, we urge every resident to be a guiding light in Lauderdale County by leading their brothers and sisters who are destitute,” Jonathan Wells, the board president, said.

Ryan called it a “bittersweet” change and asked the board to do its best to continue recruiting the next generation.

“It’s time for a change, time for younger blood,” Ryan said. “Anything you can do to encourage recruitment at your local fire station not only helps the service but every property in that district.”

Ryan said that people didn’t volunteer in their community like they used to, not just in the fire service but in other service clubs.

“We’ve gone into an era where giving back to the community has dwindled down to almost nothing,” Ryan said.

Wells praised Ryan for the decades of service he gave Lauderdale.

“Jubal has done a good job taking advantage of grants,” Wells said. “You’ve run that station really well.”

Those interested in volunteering with the Lauderdale County fire service can call Allan Dover, the Lauderdale County Fire Coordinator, at (601) 482-9856 to learn more.