Havre fire chief to retire

The Havre fire chief has announced he will retire at the end of this month, after serving 30 years with the Havre Fire Department.

“I feel very fortunate to serve the citizens of Havre for the last 30 years,” Hedges said during a meeting of Havre City Council Monday night. “I’m also looking forward to new challenges. I’m still very young.”

Hedges took the position of Havre fire chief in January 2015, replacing former Fire Chief Dave Sheppard, under whom Hedges served as assistant fire chief.

Havre Police Chief Gabe Matosich presented Hedges with a certificate of appreciation from his department, thanking him for his work starting as a firefighter and rising through the ranks to his position as fire chief.

Havre Mayor Tim Solomon also thanked Hedges, and said another 30-year veteran of the department, Capt. Dave Krezelak, also has announced his retirement.