PORTLAND — Portland Fire Chief Fred LaMontagne plans to retire from the department April 1, according to a news release from the city issued today.

LaMontagne has served the department for 27 years, the last 10 as chief.

LaMontagne oversaw the full integration of emergency medical services within the department, regionalizing dispatch and 911 services with South Portland and Cape Elizabeth and overseeing the response to multiple natural disasters, according to the city release.

He also faced stiff criticism last year when the city’s fire boat crashed with 12 civilians aboard, causing $38,000 in damage.

“My retirement from civil service is bitter sweet, for fire fighting is my in my heart and soul,” LaMontagne said in the release. “I look forward to what the next chapter brings, but in my heart, I will always be a Portland Fire Fighter.” 

LaMontagne said being fire chief required not only personal sacrifice but sacrifices by his family as well.

LaMontagne is the city’s emergency management director and commanded the city’s response to the Patriot’s Day Storm, the 2002 Ice Storm, and Hurricane Irene, the release said. He also allocated resources to help assist victims of Katrina