Bailey thanks Zittel

As much as I’m sad to see you go in this particular case, I’m excited for you for your future, and obviously, more quality time spent with your family. I just wanted to say, once again, thank you.”

Mayor Myron Bailey

Longtime Cottage Grove firefighter Kevin Zittel was honored at the Jan. 17 city council meeting for his 30 years of service to the community upon his retirement.
Mayor Myron Bailey began by saying, “I’ve known this guy for a long, long time.” He continued, “This is the retirement, from a Public Safety standpoint, of Kevin Zittel. I’ll first turn it over to our Public Safety Director Pete Koerner.”
Koerner took the podium and said, “I just wanted to say a few things. I did pull rank with Fire Chief Pritchard. I’ve known Kevin since middle school. We played sports together.” He added, “Kevin started with us in October of 1993. When the newer firefighters talk about different things like, ‘Remember we used to do that, or they did that’ – Kevin did all that.
“Kevin’s been a part of a lot of the changes with the response model,” said Koerner. “Kevin was always passionate, whether it was on the fire department for safety - he did a lot, too, with the City Safety Committee. He was ahead of the game.”
Koerner listed Zittel’s accomplishments, including Community Risk Reduction, Water Rescue, Dive Team, Safety Camp, the Youth Fire Prevention program, Car Seat Safety, EMT services, and holding leadership roles as a Lieutenant and Captain. He also noted that Zittel led CPR training for thousands of people and numerous businesses over the years.
“You’ve had an incredible career. Thirty years is remarkable. You deserve to be standing up there with the mayor and the council,” concluded Koerner.
Bailey presented a plaque to Zittel.
“The amount of hours that you guys put in for training and for issues that happen, no matter what hour of the day it is, and then the families that have to interrupt events and birthdays; the city could not function without individuals like yourselves, the firefighters, but also the family members,” Bailey said. “As much as I’m sad to see you go in this particular case, I’m excited for you for your future, and obviously, more quality time spent with your family. I just wanted to say, once again, thank you.”
Bailey read the plaque, saying, “Kevin Zittel - Captain, Lieutenant, Firefighter, City of Cottage Grove Department of Public Safety Fire and Emergency Medical Services Division, served 1993-2023. In recognition of your thirty years of dedicated service to the Cottage Grove Public Safety Department, and the citizens which we serve, Kevin Zittel has been instrumental in providing the highest quality fire and EMS services. Kevin has been part of a significant change, and he has had a direct impact on the excellent reputation, commitment to safety, and high standards of the department. The professionalism and integrity of the department is a direct result of Kevin’s commitment to the community and mission of the organization. Kevin Zittel’s service to the department and citizens is greatly appreciated.”
After a round of applause from the city staff, attending firefighters, and meeting attendees, Zittel took a moment to say a few words.
“I just want to thank the city administrator, the council, and all of the leadership teams,” Zittel said. “Director Koerner and I have been through a lot together. It just so happens that I had a couple of days with Chief Pritchard as the new chief, so he would’ve been my sixth fire chief in 30 years. That was why I retired, because I told them I couldn’t break in a new chief,” which was received with laughter from the crowd.
He continued, “In all honesty, thank you, guys. They told me I was going to stand up here, and I’m like, ‘for what?’ But I appreciate you. My brothers and sisters in the back that are new firefighters or have been with me for a long time, my family, thank you for keeping me safe. I appreciate it. My wife and my girls, I love you guys. And my parents, who raised me to be what I am - thank you.”
Fire Chief Jon Pritchard then invited Zittel to do one final ceremonial dispatch call. The dispatch operator answered and read the wording from the plaque over the radio. Zittel took a pause to collect himself, and responded, “Dispatch, thank you for all the years of service. And again, tell all the brothers and sisters out there in Washington County thank you for all of the help and recognition. 10-7.”
10-7 is the traditional code for ‘out of service’. The City of Cottage Grove and its citizens wish Kevin Zittel the best going forward.