Fire Chief Robert Hays Retires After 42 Years of Service

Arieanna Crowson, Reporter

GRANTS, NM – Fire Chief Robert Hays has decided to retire from the Grants Fire Department after 42 years of service. Hays joined the department on January 22, 1982 and has dedicated a lifetime to serving his community. He will officially retire on January 31, 2024.

On January 30 the Grants Fire Department held a recognition ceremony to honor the dedication that Hays has given to the department. The current Interim Mike Maes spoke at the ceremony along with Hays and members of the City Council, Beverly Michael, George Garcia and City Manager Andrew Valencia. Valencia who has worked with Hays at the fire department before taking the position as City Manager spoke about his experience with Hays, “I took a chance on him as a career firefighter in 03, and then he took a chance on me in 2013 again bringing me back. So, our connection goes deep, we will be connected forever. I thank you personally thank you for everything that you have done for the fire department, you really have dedicated a lifetime worth of involvement not only for your city, your family, and the fire department.”

Maes gave a small speech thanking Hays for all that he has done and joking about what he might do after retiring, “Its hard for a firefighter or a chief to retire because after all he knows how much still remains to be done. On the other hand, nobody deserves retirement more than somebody who has spent a lifetime, 42 years, doing just that. Let’s get this straight there is nothing glamourous about crawling on ladders, entering darkened buildings or dealing with human tragedies… Firefighting though remains the same, all the equipment has changed of course we no longer use horses, like [Fire Chief Hays] did to get the scene of an incident, there’s still calls for courage, strong nerves, and a commitment to the community, traits that are exhibited by Chief Hays.” One of the jokes that Maes gave which he said was his favorite which was that after retiring Hays will spend his days feeding the ducks at the riverwalk.

Hays was presented with multiple items to commemorate his time and thank him for all the work that he has done at the department. The items included a fire axe that is included on a plaque that shows the dates Hays joined the department and retired January 22, 1982 to January 31, 2024. A picture frame that includes various photos from different jobs and events that Hays was involved in. A certificate of appreciation from Fire Chief Daniel Urioste from Milan Volunteer Fire Department. Finally, a shadow box that includes all of Hays’s badges from over the years, various photos from his time at the department and his original application to join the volunteer fire department.

The ceremony ended with Hays thanking the department and all those who have supported him through his career in the fire department, “The 42 years have flown by. This is my third fire station… Thank you for this. I don’t think I deserve this, because its all part of what I wanted to do. And that comes from my grandma that I lost in 01. Her giving to everyone in her community was seen when she passed away, people came from miles and miles away to honor her when she passed away. So, thanks.” Hays also presented one of his fire helmets with a new badge with the name he would like to be remembered as “Peacemaker.”

Thank you, Fire Chief Robert Hays, for giving 42 years of your life in service of your community. This community appreciates everything that you have done for them and we look forward to seeing the further work that you do in the future. Congratulations on your retirement!