Wilmington battalion chief retires after 36 years

WILMINGTON (WPVI) -- After 36 years on the job as a firefighter, a Wilmington battalion chief is hanging up his helmet for the last time.

On Sunday, the Wilmington Fire Department offered a fond farewell to 59-year-old Chief Edward Hojnicki.

Now he can spend more time with his lovely wife Karen, their three grown children, and his seven grandchildren.

The department sent the chief off in raucous style with sirens blaring as he shook hands and high-fived his fellow department.

Hojnicki started with the department in July 1978.

Firefighting runs in his blood, in fact he followed in his father's footsteps.

Now one of his own children is serving as a paramedic in New Castle County.