After 37 years as a firefighter, with 10 of those spent with the Swift Current Fire Department, Fire Chief Denis Pilon is calling it a career.

The announcement was made last Friday on the chief's Twitter page indicating he handed in his resignation for August 31.

Pilon said on Monday morning it was a difficult choice to make but he's ready for retirement.

"It's tough because I love my job, I love what I do, I like the people," he said. "But from the other position, it's time. I've been fighting fires for 37 years, it's time to hang up the boots and sit back and not have to worry about getting up in the morning."

Pilon has been the fire chief in Swift Current for eight years and said one of the best parts of his job is working alongside his co-workers.

"The good (memories) are the people," he said. "I've enjoyed working with these people here, it's been a pleasure working with them. We've got some very highly-trained and competent firefighters. We've managed to build a succession plan that will allow future fire chiefs to be chosen from within the department hopefully."

Although Pilon won't play a role in choosing his replacement he believes they've set it up well enough for someone within the department to fill the role should the opportunity arise.

His retirement plans include moving back to Regina to be closer to family and friends as well as possibly doing some wintering down south.