Dave Tomcics recently stepped down as fire chief of the Eastern Salisbury Fire Department after a volunteer fire service career spanning some 22 years.

He issued the following statement supporting his decision:

“I had several reasons to drive my decision. First and foremost was family. My kids are getting older and more active in hockey. On a recent Saturday, I left my house at 7 a.m. and did not get back home until 10 p.m., going to multiple games. It is nothing for us to spend almost each night and all weekend at ice rinks for practices and games. I felt I was doing the fire department a disservice by not giving the position the time it needed.

“I have been a member of ESFD since joining in 1998 as a junior firefighter and have held several positions leading up to chief and president. “I was promoted to lieutenant in 2007, 2008 assistant chief and chief from 2013 until January of this year. Administratively I was vice president in 2000 and again in 2007, becoming president from 2008-2014 and again in 2019. I was treasurer in 2015 and 2018.”

Tomcics gave his best wishes to the fire department going forward.