PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (Romero Report) — After more than three decades as chief, Mike Neal has decided to retire from Ringgold Volunteer Fire and Rescue.

His retirement was effective June 30, and Jacob Adkins, 25, has taken over as the new chief.

Neal, 70, remembers running around the station as a toddler, driving a firetruck at 16, and becoming assistant chief and a member of the department’s board of directors at 18.

By 1991, Neal was named chief.

His father, Calvin, was the station’s first chief when it was founded in 1958.

Reflecting on his long career, Neal said, “I grew up in it. I didn’t do it for personal gain, never had. I was just blessed to do it.”

His decision to retire was influenced by being physically worn out and the changes to the volunteer fire and rescue system.

The death of his daughter, who had served as an EMT for Ringgold, also weighed heavily on his mind.

“I’m not going to say it was really bittersweet, I just think the time had come. I don’t want to call it a burden really, but really got stressed out, stuff has changed a lot. It’s not really fun anymore. As far as trying to keep up with all this down here. We run about 1,400 calls a year. It gets time where I maybe need to walk away a little bit,” said Neal.

Neal is proud of being called the “King of Fundraisers” by a local newspaper columnist, as he’s brought in more than a quarter of a million dollars for the station’s many fundraisers, according to Pittsylvania County.

He expressed his gratitude for the support the department has received over the years from individuals in the community, businesses, industries, charitable organizations, and more.

Despite his retirement, Neal still spends a good deal of time at the station and is helping Adkins ease into his new role, the news release said.

In addition to his new job as chief, Adkins is also a firefighter and EMT with the City of Lynchburg.

“I see some of him in me. I’m handing off in good hands,” said Neal.

Adkins said being chief was a dream of his, and like Neal, he grew up in the department with his father.

It’s about helping the community in which he has lived his entire life, said Adkins.

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