This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Crime & Safety

Firefighter Retires After 28 Years of Service to Benicia

Steve Cortland worked his last shift on Monday.

Engineer Steve Cortland of the Benicia Fire Department received his last dispatch Monday evening. Along with congratulations, the dispatch read “No duty is more urgent now than that of returning our thanks and showing our gratitude to you, for all that you have given us!”

Cortland's fire service career began when he volunteered in Napa County for three years. He was hired in Benicia in 1983 and was promoted to Firefighter Engineer two years later. Cortland was a member of the department's original Hazardous Materials Team, implemented many of the departments computer programs and served as the liaison officer for the explorer program. In 1993, Cortland was named Firefighter of the Year and a member of the Apparatus Committee that designed the current front line engines.

Having recently celebrated his 50th birthday, Cortland and his partner are moving to Minnesota. They are looking forward to their first winter there. While his retirement and move is exciting, Cortland's departure is bittersweet. “The one thing about the department, is that we always had the luxury of everybody being treated the same,” said Cortland. “It didn't matter who they were. Benicia couldn't have been a better community to work in.”

Find out what's happening in Beniciawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Family and fellow firefighters were on hand to see Cortland off. Cortland posed for a photo with nephew Tyler DeSoto and grand-nephew Travis Danger DeSoto, recreating a photo taken when Tyler was Travis' age- and yes, Travis' middle name is Danger.

After changing from his uniform into his street clothes, Cortland was driven home in the Phoenix Engine. His final dispatch concluded with “You will be greatly missed. May you enjoy a long and healthy retirement with your family and friends. Thanks Steve, it's my honor to log you off duty for the final time... Benicia Fire Clear.”   

Find out what's happening in Beniciawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Benicia