After more than half a century of service to the community, Cumberland Fire Chief Mike Williamson is preparing to retire at the end of September.

Williamson’s career includes 38 years of volunteer service with Cumberland Fire Rescue, along with time as president of the Cumberland Firefighters Society.

He has also served as the Village of Cumberland’s Manager of Protective Services since 2012.

As Cumberland grew, Williamson helped modernize the department and strengthen its emergency-response capabilities.

His contributions included introducing updated firefighter training, a first-responder medical program and an auto-extrication program supporting highway vehicle rescues.

Williamson also championed fire-safety education in local schools and advocated for the construction of Cumberland’s new fire hall.

Mayor Vickey Brown says it is impossible to define the full extent of Williamson’s impact on the department, adding that the community is grateful for his lifetime of service.

Residents are invited to celebrate Williamson’s career and congratulate him on his retirement during an open house on Tuesday, September 29th.

The event will run from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cumberland Fire Rescue Hall, located at 4724 Cumberland Road.