The man who has led firefighting efforts in rural Iberia Parish for most of the last two decades is stepping down.

Iberia Parish Fire District No. 1 Chief Sam Bird, 55, is retiring next week after more than a dozen years with the fire district. To put it in perspective, those years represent more than three-quarters of the fire district’s 16-year history.

“He’s done a lot for the fire district,” said Assistant Chief Chad Maturin. “I just hope we can find somebody who can replace him and do as good as he did.”

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Bird said he plans to take about 45 days off, after which he will volunteer with the Coteau Volunteer Fire Department.

“Iberia Parish and the fire district have been real good to me,” Bird said. “I have no complaints. I’m leaving happy.”

Bird took over as chief in September 1994. Before joining the fire district, he trained firefighters in Virginia.

A native of Narrows, Va., Bird has been in firefighting for nearly 40 years. His father and brothers were firefighters as well.

“It’s just sort of a way of life for me,” he said. “I like helping people. I like the excitement and adrenaline rushes that you get.

“And then there’s all different types of stuff other than putting out fires — fleet maintenance, fire prevention — the whole gamut of things involved in a fire department.”

The fire district has seen a number of improvements during Bird’s tenure.

The number of paid personnel has increased from three to 12. Training has improved, two new stations have been built, and the fire district has purchased 22 new trucks.

The advances have helped the parish improve its fire rating, saving homeowners money on their insurance premiums. And Bird expects that rating to improve again in the coming years.

“We’ve come a long ways with all the trucks we’ve bought and the rating going down,” said District Chief Mike Vincent. “He’s done a lot of little things that have made a big difference in having the fire district the way it is now.”

Bird is reluctant to take responsibility for the improvements, though, instead deflecting credit to the parish government and fire district personnel.

“It’s been a big team effort,” Bird said. “I’ve just been one spoke in the wheel.”

Bird said the search already has begun for his replacement.

Nine candidates have applied for the position. A civil service exam is scheduled for April 25, after which the fire district board of commissioners will conduct interviews and appoint a new chief.

“There’s some real good people with good qualifications that should be able to take the fire district to the next level,” Bird said.

“But I’ve really enjoyed my time here. It’s been a pleasure.”