Superior Volunteer Fire Department Chief Rob Torrey has quit the department effective Dec. 31, 2017. Torrey took the helm from retiring fire chief John Woodland in January 2016. Torrey has worked in the fire service field for more than 30 years and took the part-time position in order to spend more time with his wife and grandchildren.

However, as time passed, the family realized he needed to work full time for a better salary and benefits. He accepted a position as a training officer for both career and volunteer firefighters and volunteer retention and recruitment with the Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue in Dalles, Oregon. He began his new job on Jan. 2, 2018.

His wife Christina and their two grandchildren will remain in Superior until the end of the school year. The new job pays about $84,000 a year, compared to the part-time job in Superior which has an annual salary of about $19,200.

“When I first applied, even though the money was pretty low, we thought we’d be happy with more time together,” said Torrey. “But then when you get into a situation like the Sunrise Fire that we had this summer, you end up working more than anticipated.”

Along with the confines of a stipend position which means there is no step increases, Torrey used his own vehicle without gas reimbursement and his own uniforms, along with taxes and health insurance costs, he found himself in the negative financially in August.

Torrey said he understands that it’s difficult for the county to add to the budget and make changes. After discussing the situation with Superior Mayor Roni Phillips and other town council members he was told that he needed to do what was best for himself and his family.

“The job (in Superior) does have full medical benefits for a part-time job which is great and for some of the other members of the department it could be a really good opportunity,” he said.

During a Superior Town Council meeting he was told that he had done a good job and would be missed. Long-time Superior Volunteer Firefighter Assistant Chief Calvin Berry is currently the acting Fire Chief. However, Berry said he is not interested in the position on a permanent basis. The job is still in the process of being filled.

Torrey was also the Mineral County Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator and Chair of the Local Emergency Planning Committee, a position he took over from long-time coordinator George Gupton in June 2017 after Gupton retired. The DES position is also open and has a $600 per month stipend.