Round Rock Fire Chief Larry Hodge

Hodge's retirement will be effective Feb. 26, 2011, concluding a 40-year career in the fire service. Hodge began working in Round Rock in 2005. He will turn 65 on Feb. 4, 2011.

The city filed for an appeal earlier this month after a judge ruled in favor of the firefighters association, which argued its right to represent a firefighter was violated when Fire Chief Hodge questioned him as part of an investigation.

The city and Hodge said the association's claim held no weight. In April, the firefighter's association voted no confidence in Hodge, and a report released in July revealed a damaged relationship between the fire department's management and the association.

Despite the controversy, Hodge said in Tuesday's announcement the firefighters and city staff helped make his term a success.

"I came to Round Rock to finish this phase of my career with an outstanding fire department in an outstanding city and Round Rock has allowed me to meet those goals," Chief Hodge said. "For this opportunity, I want to say 'Thank You' to the firefighters and staff and to the many city employees who have made my tenure successful and to the City Councils, past and present, for their support."

City Manager Jim Nuse also sung the fire chief's praises.

"Chief Hodge led our Fire Department through a period of tremendous growth and he worked diligently to increase firefighters’ capacity to provide life-saving care to our citizens," Nuse said. "His leadership was critical to improving response times and ensuring our firefighters have the best equipment and training to do their jobs."

The city noted that under Hodge's leadership, the department improved its ability to respond to a fire, grew to seven stations from five and nine fire companies from six, and increased staffing from 86 full time employees to 121 full time employees.

The city will begin a nationwide search to find a replacement for Hodge.