Leaving on a high note: Plano fire chief retires after 37 years of service

After nearly six years at the helm of the Plano Fire Department, Chief Hugo Esparza announced his retirement on Tuesday, effective July 2.

The Fort Worth native joined the city of Plano as fire chief in November 2006 following years of service with the Fort Worth Fire Department, where he began his career as firefighter and left as executive deputy chief.

"I think I've been very blessed and lucky to have such a young career, I started when 19," said Esparza, 56. "I still have my health and my wife does, too, and the department is in really good shape. I was able to get a lot of things done and so I thought it was a good time for me to go and leave on a high note."

During his tenure, Plano's fire department was able to expand its resources to accommodate a growing city. In 2007, the department opened Fire Station 11 off Los Rios Blvd. in northeast Plano. Two years later, it opened the Fire Station 12 complex off W. 15th St. that includes the Fire Logistics Warehouse and William E. Peterson Emergency Operations Center.

In 2011, Fire Station 13 was opened. The Sherrye Drive location marked the expansion of the department's fire and EMS services to the northwest, and also added 45 new firefighters to the force.

Customer service, firefighter safety and training has always topped his list of priorities for Plano's finest, as made evident in the strides the department has made to enhance all three over the years, said Esparza, who was confident such will the priorities of the next chief.

"I was also able to improve and enrich the relationship between the labor union and we have a really good working relationship," he said. "We were able to do a lot of good things together, and I hope that working relationship continues. We were also able to put in a physical fitness standard for the department. I just want firefighters to always be safe and train and drill and don't take shortcuts and don't be complacent. These may seem like small things but they are important to me."

Esparza joined the department at both a challenging and opportune time, when cities across the United States were facing funding and program cutbacks, City Manager Bruce Glasscock said. Thanks to his leadership, Esparza and his dedicated staff was able to continue provide exemplary public safety services, despite unstable national economy, Glasscock said.

"We appreciate Chief Esparza's service to the city of Plano," he said in a release. "Integrity and dedication to his profession will be two of the hallmarks he will leave behind."

Although saying goodbye to some of the best employees he has come into contact with throughout his career, Esparza's departure comes as bittersweet, the father of two said he is also ready to spend some quality time with his family and "kick some sand" at the beach this summer.

"The highlight for me was just the people I get to work with, these are great firefighters," Esparza said. "I came from a big department and then I came here and firefighters here are great. That's the thing, if I have any regrets, it would be that I won't be able to be chief anymore. I really enjoy my job and being able to lead them. This was a very difficult decision, I definitely shed a few tears and prayed over it."

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