DURANT, Okla. (KTEN) -- After more than 30 years with the Durant Fire Department, Chief Roger Joines is retiring. 

"The present Deputy Chief Jeff Langford will be stepping up into the chief position. It makes it so much easier for me to leave knowing the guys are going to be taken care of... Leaving it in very good hands," Joines said.

Joines began working with with the department in 1989 when he was just 25 years old. He has spent the last decade serving as chief.

Joines said over the last three decades, he's worked with the best people, and is honored to have served the city of Durant.

"The first 21 years before I was chief, I missed a lot of birthday parties, a lot of Christmases, and my wife took care of things around the house, kept everything going, the kids fed and school and sports events," Joines said. "The family of public safety individuals pay a price, and I'm very thankful to them for allowing me to have this career."

Chief Joines isn't done serving just yet. A few weeks from now, he'll start a new position with the Choctaw Nation's fire marshal office.