‘It is the right time to retire’

A chance opportunity almost four decades ago brought Huntington Beach Fire Chief Duane Olson into the department, but after 39 years with the city, he has shown it wasn’t chance that kept him here.

Olson announced over the summer his intention to retire Dec. 22 after overseeing the city’s fire protection and prevention, rescue and emergency medical services for more than 200,000 residents since 2003, when he was appointed chief.

After seven years at the helm, Olson said it is the right time to go.

“I don’t think there is ever a good time to retire, but I really think there is a right time to retire, and for me, both personally and professionally, it is the right time to retire,” he said

Olson started out as a lifeguard for the city and was “very fortunate,” as he put it, to be transferred to the fire department with a handful of others. But unlike many, Olson had never dreamed of donning the boots and hat.

“When I was a kid, I never wanted to be a firefighter,” he said.

Olson intended to use the opportunity to get into another service while supporting his family, but found it “inspiring.”

“It struck me that they were so well organized and so well structured that the individuals here were really talented people, and they were so skilled, in what their abilities were, that I was somewhat awe struck,” he said.

Community Services Director Jim Engle, who has worked closely with Olson over the years and has known him since his lifeguard days, said Olson has always exhibited leadership qualities.

Olson moved up the ranks over the years and earned a series of state certifications along the way. City Administrator Fred Wilson said Olson brought a high degree of professionalism to the department and put emphasis on meeting goals, calling him a “hard charger.”

Olson’s accomplishment include the department’s first ever Class One rating in 2004 and improving emergency response times, but he said his accomplishments all relate to something less tangible that can’t be put on a resume — relationships developed, creating an open environment for cooperation and improving customer service.

“I’ve just had a great career. It’s really due to the interrelationships that I’ve had with all of the people I’ve worked with over all of the years,” he said.

Police Chief Ken Small said he has enjoyed working with Olson over the last seven years and has seen his commitment to the safety of residents and visitors to the city.

“Chief Olson’s hard work and dedication have played a major role in both making and keeping Huntington Beach a safe place to live, work and visit,” Small said in an e-mail.

Division Chief of Operations Eric Engberg said Olson has been instrumental in updating the stations and apparatuses, as well as revising policy and maintaining the department’s mission for excellence.

“He’s done a great job for our organization,” Engberg said.

When Olson took the post of fire chief, he set up a five- to seven-year plan of things he wanted to accomplish, and now that all of his objectives are completed or set in motion, it’s time to retire, he said.

Wilson said the search for Olson’s replacement is going well and he hopes to be able to announce Olson’s replacement at the Dec. 21 City Council meeting.

Olson said he isn’t making any definite plans for retirement, but fishing and boating are on the horizon.

“I’ve intentionally not made any solid plans. My entire career, I’ve been planning three-year plans, five-year plans,” he said.

Olson has been an avid ocean fisherman, making trips to Mexico for marlin, dorado and tuna. Fishing is a family affair for Olson, whose twins Brandon and Jeremey hit the open water with him

Sandi, Olson’s wife, is also an avid stream fisherman, and the whole family, including daughter Jennifer, has been trekking up to Yosemite to fish since the kids were in elementary school, he said.

Yosemite is one of the places Olson wants to travel to. He plans on visiting some national parks and traveling around the U.S. before partaking on a European vacation or cruise. Olson said there is also a Tahiti trip in his future.

Besides traveling, Olson said he plans on spending time with his five grandchildren, learning Spanish and teaching.