Mike Hyde, ca
decided to post something about someone living for a change, hope it helps someone
Article Last Updated: 01/02/2006 04:18:41 AM
Deputy fire chief retires in Hayward
By Michelle Beaver, STAFF WRITER
He was born in Hayward. He was raised in Hayward.
And for 34 years he made a living in Hayward as a firefighter, just as his father did before him. When Deputy Fire Chief Mike Hyde wakes up each morning this week and doesn't have to go to work, he's hardly going to know what to do.
His last day was Friday, which was marked by appearances at all nine Hayward fire stations, where various surprises — such as a home-cooked meal at Station 1 — awaited him.
"I've been at this a long time," Hyde said. "It feels strange to be leaving, because I've been around this department for my whole life. It's all I've ever known. It's been a very great career, and I've worked with a real good bunch of people."
Retirement isn't scary, but it is surreal, the 56-year-old said. The absence of work will be foreign to Hyde, who has been employed since junior high. He looks forward to spending more time with his church community, two daughters and his wife of 33 years, but Hyde is still not sure how retirement will suit him.
"Time will tell," he said. "Every now and then I feel choked up when I go into the stations and see people that I won't see as much anymore."
Hyde has left a huge imprint on the Hayward Fire Department. He was voted Alameda County's firefighter of the year in 2004 and has been a pivotal member of the firefighter's union.
He also has been a fire inspector, fire marshal and staff captain.
He's been "incredibly influential" in the fire prevention bureau,
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said Hayward firefighter Garrett Contreras.
"A lot of developers in the 1980s and beforehand would create alliances in the Fire Department to make things easier for themselves," Contreras said. "But it didn't work with Mike. Mike's the type of guy who says, 'The rules are the rules and they're there to protect people.' He's the most the ethical person you'll ever meet."
Hyde organizes many of the firefighters' charitable events, and keeps a great deal of the Fire Department's computer equipment running. He has been eligible to retire for four years, but wanted to tie up loose ends with the computer system before checking out.
"He didn't want to drop anything too tough on the new chief," Contreras said. "That just shows what kind of guy he is."
A new chief will be appointed early in the year, and the decision is "big stuff," Contreras said.
"I mean, 34 years experience is hard to replace," he added. "We don't have someone with that kind of experience, or else they'd probably be retiring too. Mike is going to be sorely missed, but he's earned a good retirement, so we've got to let him go. It would be selfish to try to keep him."