North Little Rock Fire Department Chief Robert Mauldin is retiring, effective July 1, after 41 years of service to the city, Mayor Joe Smith announced Thursday.
Mauldin, 65, who Smith described as a "highly regarded leader of one of the most professional and respected fire departments in the state," has served as the city's fire chief since 2009.
"I have truly enjoyed working with him and we are sorry to see him go. I wish him an exciting retirement,” Smith said in a statement.
Smith said he will begin a nationwide search for Mauldin's replacement immediately.
“This is an important position within our city and I owe it to the residents and our firefighters to look everywhere for the most capable individual to lead the department,” he said.
Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for more on this story.