After more than 25 years with the Meridian Fire Department and 27 years in firefighting, Chief Jason Collier announced Friday it is time to move on to his next career goal.

Collier, 46, will hang up his hat on Oct. 31, ending a career he began in July 1996 at the age of 19.

“Chief Collier’s retirement is a loss to the City of Meridian,” Mayor Jimmie Smith said. “We are happy for him and his future successes.”

A Meridian native, Collier became interested in firefighting when he worked with the Bailey Volunteer Fire Department while attending Meridian High School.

“My dad was a policeman and in the Navy, and that was what I wanted to do, too,” he said. “That changed when I became a volunteer fireman.”

After joining the Meridian Fire Department as a firefighter and “doing almost every job there,” Collier began to move through the department’s ranks, serving as fire marshal, deputy chief and interim chief before assuming duties as chief in August 2021.

The fire chief credits much of his career success to his fellow firefighters.

“Firefighting is the best job in the world, but the best part is the people I work with,” he said. “They’ve always had my back; I couldn’t have done anything without them. I’m definitely going to miss them. They are my family.”

His wife Renae and children — Macayla, 23; Sara, 20; Isabel, 12; and Savannah, 8 — have also been integral to his success.

“It took their support to make it through,” he said. “If I had to do it without them, I could not have done it. It would have been impossible.”

Collier expresses appreciation to Mayor Smith and the City Council for their support, especially for appointing him as fire chief.

“I really appreciate Mayor Smith for trusting me to lead the fire department, and I appreciate the support the council has shown toward me,” he said.

Before embarking on his new career venture in 2024, Collier says he plans to take the next few months getting caught up on his “Honey-do list,” as well as hunting and attending football games.

“My daughter is in the band at Southern, so hopefully I’ll get to go see her perform,” he said. “And I plan to go to some Saints football games.”

Meridian Fire Department Battalion Chief Joseph Hand will serve as interim chief, Mayor Jimmie Smith said.