Portland Fire & Rescue Chief announces retirement

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland Fire & Rescue Chief Erin Janssens announced her retirement Wednesday.

Janssens has been with the bureau for 28 years and chief since 2012. She was the bureau’s first female chief.

In a statement, Janssens says her initial plan was to retire in 2015.

“However, as projects continued, I stayed to see those things through. What I’ve come to realize is that we will always be in the midst of one innovation or another and every fire chief must at some point identify when they will pass the proverbial torch.”

While Janssens touted a long list of accomplishments, including cutting overtime costs, her tenure did not come without trouble. She is currently facing a lawsuit from a former employee who claims she grabbed his neck during a meeting.

No word yet on when a replacement will be named.