Sioux City Fire Rescue Chief Tom Everett has announced he is retiring after 31 years with the department and 16 years as chief.
Before becoming a firefighter, Everett served in the Navy working on a flight deck. After his military career, he began to take tests to become a firefighter eventually being hired by his hometown department
Everett previously served for close to 15 years with the department, climbing the ranks before becoming chief. After moving through the ranks quickly, he was hired as an internal candidate where he saw the department grow and evolve. Now after over 30 years, he takes time to look back at those fond memories.
“I think... the underlying foundation is character and professionalism, if that’s not there, you’re not going to get very far, right, because if people are going to want to follow you, then they have to trust you,” Everett said.