BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — It’s the end of a legacy for one local hometown hero as he’s celebrating his well-deserved retirement on Wednesday.

Tom Painter is retiring after 20 years with the Bismarck Airport Fire Department.

Painter began his career as a volunteer firefighter in the Air Force. He did 20 years in the Air Force, which included time in Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2004, he made his way from Florida to Bismarck to work for the department.

He now will embark on a new journey with his family, enjoying retirement. And Painter reflects on what being a firefighter meant to him.

“It meant that I was here to help people. People don’t realize this but being a firefighter is a pretty dangerous job. And especially in the airports with all the fuel that we deal with and the load of passengers that come in with the planes. Just helping people,” Painter said.

Painter says that his coworkers and fellow firefighters have made his time with the department enjoyable. He says his retirement plans include spending time with his family and traveling.

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