Columbia Fire Department Chief Chuck Witt will retire effective Jan. 31, City Manager Mike Matthes announced Tuesday before naming his replacement at a City Hall news conference.

Randy White, current deputy chief and 16-year department veteran, will replace Witt, who has been with the department for more than 28 years, on Feb. 1. Witt held every rank in the department, he said, before taking over the top role on March 2, 2011.

Matthes made the announcement in City Council chambers at City Hall, 701 E. Broadway, surrounded by about a dozen fire officials. After Matthes spoke, Witt and White addressed the small gathering of journalists and residents.

Witt, 51, led the department through the latest recession, when cities across the country had to lay off public safety personnel. Matthes said Witt�s work prevented the economic downturn from hitting the department even harder.

�He�s provided tremendous leadership to the department during a time that has been incredibly challenging,� Matthes said.

During his time as chief, Witt pushed for more use of technology, resulting in iPads being used in fire trucks to improve response times and service. The Fire Marshals Division went paperless at his direction, Matthes said. Witt also began distance learning for firefighters, in which they do continued training at their designated stations so they can still respond to emergencies, and upgraded the protective gear departmental personnel wear.

�It just makes us more effective and our response times faster, even when you�re just asking for information,� Matthes said.

Matthes said the department, from top to bottom, has done exemplary work in managing staffing issues and finding ways to better serve the city. Because Witt�s administrative team was well-trained and qualified and the department was full of talent, Matthes said he didn�t need to go outside the ranks for find a replacement for Witt.

�This department is just operating at a level of performance most cities aspire to but don�t achieve,� Matthes said.

White�s salary as chief will be $120,000 annually and he will receive a car allowance and other benefits, Battalion Chief Brad Fraizer said in a news release Tuesday morning. He has been deputy fire chief for more than three years and was a firefighter, engineer, lieutenant and captain before that.

During his brief address Tuesday, White said there are three main challenges the department faces: staffing, training and the continued use of technology.

�I think it goes without saying that we will have to find the best way to address our staffing and plan how we�re going to keep pace with a growing community,� White, 52, said. He said he will focus on finding cost-effective ways to train the department�s staff adequately and that he plans to use data gathered from technology to analyze performance and adjust procedures to increase effectiveness in the future.

Witt called his departure �bittersweet� but said he looks forward to the next part of his life. An accomplished fire official, two governors have tapped Witt to serve on statewide advisory boards, Matthes said. Witt also was the regional mutual aid coordinator for a region that includes 13 Mid-Missouri counties.

�It is with that bittersweetness and celebration that I get to leave the Columbia Fire Department knowing it is trained, dedicated and ready to face future challenges,� Witt said.

Witt is also a member and supporter of many community organizations, including the Rotary Club, the Columbia Show-Me Cosmos and the Missouri Contemporary Ballet.

�Yes, he�s a Renaissance man,� Matthes said. �In fact, when I first met the chief, he was training for a dance competition. I thought, �What have I gotten myself into? The fire chief�s in a dance competition?� �