Burbank Fire Chief Ray Krawkowski will end 32 years of public service when he retired on Dec. 28.

Chief Krawkowski began his career with Burbank Fire in August 1980 and promoted through the ranks as a firefighter and paramedic, engineer and captain. Krakowski was promoted to battalion chief in 1994 and held that rank 15 years before being named interim chief in 2009, and elevated to permanent chief in 2010. He recently served five weeks as the acting city manager until the arrival of interim city manager Ken Pulskamp on Dec. 3.

Chief Krakowski attributed his long career in Burbank to his colleagues.

“Thirty-two years go by quick,” Krakowski said, “but it goes by easy when you work with good people.”

Interim City Manager Pulskamp has begun an internal recruitment process to fill the chief’s position. Fire Marshal Tom Lenahan, himself a 25-year veteran of the Burbank Fire Dept., will serve as the acting fire chief during the search for a permanent replacement.