Longtime West Virginia fire marshal Sterling Lewis has retired. His last day on the job was Tuesday.
Lewis, 62, was state fire marshal for 13 years, which is the second-longest stint in the history of the office. His predecessor Walter Smittle served 26 years. 
Lewis said a 41-year employment career is long enough.
“It’s takes a whole lot of time from your family,” he said. “You’re gone to classes and your on scenes for two or three days at a time. It’s time for me to settle down and let the young guys take over. Let them bring some new ideas in.”
The Raleigh County native taught school and coached there for 26 years before coming to the Fire Marshal’s Office. He said it didn’t take long for him to recognize the dedication of the often overworked staff.
“They dearly love their jobs that’s why they take the low pay and they stay,” Lewis said. “We didn’t have a whole lot of turnover. Those fire marshals work morning and night and we’d call them out at night.”
One item he regrettably leave on the table is the issue of requiring sprinkler systems in new home construction in West Virginia, which Lewis said would save countless lives each year.
“If we want to get serious about saving lives in fires, the legislature, the governor’s office and the state in general is going to have to look at residential sprinklers,” he said.
The West Virginia fire marshal works for the state Fire Commission, which will be in charge of replacing Lewis. He supports giving the post to longtime staff member Tony Carrico, who was named acting state fire marshal.