Ames Fire Chief Mike Childs announced Monday that he will retire from the position April 8.

Childs, 55, said he wants to spend more time with his family and go hunting, fishing and enjoy “anything to do with the outdoors.”

“In about a year, my wife and I are planning to relocate to northern Minnesota,” Childs said. “Before I joined the fire department, I did some construction. I’d like to do a little of that from time to time.”

Born and raised in Ames, Childs has worked for the Ames Fire Department since 1966 and became chief in October 1992.

He said he always has looked forward to retirement but has “been thinking hard about it in the past couple of years.”

The department allows firefighters to retire after 30 years of service, he said.

“I strongly feel that firefighting is not an old man’s job,” Childs said. “And I’m an old man.”

City Manager Steve Schainker said many accomplishments have characterized Childs’ time as chief.

“Under his leadership, we have seen effective new programs, upgrading of the department, and Mike has laid the groundwork for future expansion of fire and rescue services in Ames,” Schainker said.

The department has created a Hazardous Materials unit, established a rescue and extrication team, reorganized the department as a way of preparing for future expansion and established the Master Firefighter ranks, which allow firefighters to progress based on skill criteria instead of tenure.

Childs agreed that he has done a lot over the years.

“We worked hard with the firefighter’s unions to make these changes in the department,” he said.

The city now has to undergo a lengthy process to find a new chief.

Paul Gierasch, director of human resources for the City of Ames, said there will be a national search to find Child’s replacement.

“The Civil Service Code, Chapter 400, requires that there be an open recruitment process,” Gierasch said. “We will probably put ads in professional journals and any qualified city employee can compete for the job.”

Childs said qualifications for the job include a bachelor’s degree in fire science or a related field and five years as a captain or another position of higher rank.

A public reception to honor Childs will be held April 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Fire Station #1, 1300 Burnett Ave.