Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – A gracious Mike Kimmerling stepped up to the podium to address an Orange Beach City Council that had just one by one praised his work as the city’s fire chief. Kimmerling had recently announced his retirement.

“Sometimes for a department head walking up to address the council can be a long walk,” Kimmerling said. “It never was for me because I have always felt that I had the same honor and respect from you, for me, as I have for all of you and what you do for the city.”

But recognition is not something Kimmerling seeks out.

“In all the time I’ve known him, this is the first time I’ve seen him uncomfortable,” Deputy Chief Jeff Smith said with a laugh. “He made it very clear he didn’t not want any accolades. He’s not a guy that likes that kind of stuff.” Smith will become acting chief when Kimmerling leaves.

And, while there won’t be a retirement party – at Kimmerling’s request – each council member and mayor spoke highly of his four years of service as the city’s fire chief.

“Coming out of retirement in Orange Beach, Alabama, coming from somewhere north of I-10 is sort of bizarre coming from Illinois,” Mayor Tony Kennon said. “It was a blessing. He came at a time that we needed leadership. We needed a strong leadership. And, we needed experience.”

His first role in Orange Beach in 2015 was in the Coastal Resources Department as a beach ambassador where workers ride the beaches and inform visitors about Leave Only Footprints and other rules on the beach. Including those prohibiting glass on city beaches. Councilman Jerry Johnson requested a ride along and Director Phillip West paired him with Kimmerling.

“I rode with him that day and that was nothing but leadership going all out,” Johnson said. “Throughout the entire beaches, because he stopped, he would talk to you whether it be kids or adults. Just be talking to him and they may have a glass container. ‘Let me take that and put it in a plastic one.”

Another group was digging a big hole in the sand. Kimmerling, Johnson said, told them to have fun and enjoy the day but please fill it back in when you get done.

“Every time we left, they broke the glass bottles back out and dug the hole deeper,” Kimmerling said with a laugh.

Councilman Jeff Silvers said the fire department and the city are better off because of his service.

“When you take over something you want to leave it better than you found it,” Silvers said. “This is true to the support that you show here and what you’ve done in a short period of time for that department. Thank you for your service and jumping in like you did and leaving the department better than you found it.”

Councilwoman Annette Mitchell echoed those sentiments and said the council shares that same goal.

“I think this is something that we all strive for,” Mitchell said. “Everyone who sits up here hopes that we will leave our city better than we took it and you are the poster child for that.”

After about three years with the beach ambassador program, Kimmerling became the deputy chief in 2018 and chief in 2019.

Smith is a 27-year veteran of the department and served as a firefighter from 1996-99, as a lieutenant from 1999-2005 and as a battalion chief until 2019 when he became the deputy chief.