July 1, 2022 9:30 a.m.  

Fire Chief Monte Bryan retired from the City of Roseburg staff on Thursday, after over 27 years of service that encompasses both the police and fire departments.

Bryan said serving as the fire chief since April of last year has been a great learning experience, so retiring now after nearly three decades with the City is bittersweet.

Bryan previously served as the Roseburg Fire Marshal after joining the Roseburg Police Department in 1995.

At the June 27th council meeting City Manager Nikki Messenger, Mayor Larry Rich and city council members thanked Bryan for his service. Messenger said, “He’s been an excellent employee. He’s an even better person that everybody has enjoyed spending time with, being around. And he’s a great teammate”. Messenger said Bryan will be missed.

After graduating from college, Bryan joined RPD as an entry-level patrol officer. He later worked as a school resource officer, a tactical team officer, sniper and police corporal. He joined the Roseburg Fire Department in 2007 as the deputy fire marshal. While that job was the law enforcement arm of the fire department, it allowed him to be home more when he and his wife had three young children.

Bryan has also taught fire science instruction at Umpqua Community College since March of 2014.

Bryan will now pursue his passion for emergency management and serve as the emergency management director for the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.

Retired Fire Chief Gary Garrisi will fill in as interim Fire Chief while the City begins a formal recruitment process to find a new fire chief later this summer.