Retirement has not kept retired Deputy Fire Chief Edward “Ed” Taylor away from Suffolk Fire and Rescue, and he is scheduled to make his return as interim fire chief effective June 1.

Taylor is coming back to the department exactly five years after retiring from a multi-decade career in Suffolk. Current Fire Chief Cedric Scott will retire June 1 and take a similar position in Georgia.

“We are delighted that retired Deputy Chief Taylor has agreed to serve as interim fire chief as we move forward with the process to hire a new fire chief,” City Manager Patrick Roberts said. “His vast experience and knowledge are valuable resources for the department and will ensure continued efficient daily operations.”

Taylor received the call weeks ago and was happy to temporarily rejoin the department.

“I am very excited that I have been considered for this,” Taylor said. “After all these years, I guess Fire and Rescue stays in your blood.”

Taylor was happy to get back to working even after five years of retirement.

“I’m the kind of person that doesn’t mind working. I enjoy the service, and I think it’s one of the most honorable careers,” Taylor said.

His family has been very supportive of him coming back to the Fire and Rescue department, and after the go-ahead from his wife, Taylor was happy to accept the position.

“The idea of helping the community and to come in with the people I’ve been with over the years is great,” Taylor said. “I hope I can make the department continue on as being the best fire department in the state of Virginia.”

While Taylor is biased, he is pleased to see the successes the department has had and how it has continued to innovate from when he got his start in Fire and Rescue.

“When I first started, all we did was suppress fires,” Taylor said.

Now Fire and Rescue implements programs, has emergency medical services and is able to do tactical rescues.
“I feel like I was instrumental in getting some of that started in my career,” Taylor said.

This isn’t the first time Taylor has been the interim for Fire and Rescue while the city looked to fill the fire chief position. Prior to Fire Chief Cedric Scott being hired, Taylor filled in as interim during the search while he was serving as the Deputy Fire Chief.

Taylor originally retired June 1, 2013, and he served for the department for more than four decades.