Hackensack Fire Chief Joel Thornton submitted his letter of resignation to city officials on March 12. In the letter, Thornton, a 31-year veteran of the Hackensack Fire Department, announced that his retirement will be effective as of June 1.

Thornton, 56, made his decision in the midst of a growing battle between the city and its fire department. A week before Thornton’s resignation, the City of Hackensack announced the removal of emergency medical services from fire department control to Hackensack University Medical Center. The medical center recently donated $1 million to the city to gain permission to build a new cancer center.

As a result of the hospital’s assumption of ambulance services, eight union jobs will be eliminated, causing a great hue and cry in the fire department.

In previously published reports, Thornton has stated that his decision to retire had nothing to with the EMS matter. He further stated that he had considered retirement since reaching full-pension status and that he now wants to spend more quality time with his family.

According to the city’s payroll department, Thornton has an annual salary of $155,730 and has accrued 312 sick days. Thornton’s final pension will be determined shortly by the State Department of Treasury.

Read the next edition of Hackensack Chronicle for a full interview with Thornton, as well as additional commentary regarding reaction to his resignation.