What people are saying

As word spread of Charleston Fire Chief Rusty Thomas announcing his retirement, members of the community shared their thoughts:

"It adds a level of complexity to the process we have to go through to improve the Fire Department. Now, we've also got to go out and search for a new fire chief. I do think it will help the overall effort to change the culture within the department."

- Gary White, Charleston City Council

"He certainly is going to be physically and mentally better off. It's been obvious to just about everyone that the chief really hasn't looked well. I congratulate him on being a man and standing up and saying, 'Let the healing process begin.' I think the chief did what a responsible leader should do. There may be a few other people that also need to think about retirement."

- Larry Shirley, Charleston City Council

"We put (a supportive sign) up because we've known Chief Rusty and his family for years. ... I think that, in situations like this, people would have blamed one person immediately, and we felt that until all the facts were in, we wanted to show our support."

- Monique Duffy, co-owner of Mimi's Creekside restaurant on James Island. She's one of the people who put up a sign in her window in support of the chief shortly after the fire.

"He's a gentleman, a hard worker, and I think he gave the citizens of Charleston 100 percent of the best of his ability. I don't think he short-changed them at all. He doesn't write and approve his own budget. I'm sure much of what he lacked, equipment-wise, were it his call only, the Fire Department would have been one of the best equipped in the nation."

- Maurice Washington, a former Charleston City Council member

"I'd like to wish him well, and I am looking forward to seeing the city of Charleston Fire Department begin to heal."

- Ann Graham, chief of the Isle of Palms Fire Department, who also said she examined her department after the Super Sofa Store fire and has added new equipment and reviewed operating procedures.

"I think a lot people are going to blame someone on it. Probably mistakes were made, but mistakes are made everywhere.

- Anthony Stith, Sullivan's Island fire chief, a friend of Chief Thomas' who has known him for 30 years.

"Ultimately I am not surprised. I saw this coming to a degree."

- Kathleen Wilson, Charleston City Council

"I think in my opinion (Chief Thomas) has to do what is best for himself, his family and the city."

- Herb Williams, Mount Pleasant fire chief

"If you fired somebody every time they made a mistake, all you would have is inexperienced people."

- Kurt Taylor, North Charleston City Council