Mark Hall

ALPENA — Alpena County has begun the search for a new 911 Director and Emergency Services Coordinator after its current employee informed the commissioners he intends to retire.

Mark Hall, said after more than 25 years working as a firefighter, county commissioner, and county EMS department head, he intends to step down to spend more time with his family, and his business, Campers Cove RV Park in Alpena.

Hall said public service has always been important to him, but now is the time for him to focus on those closer to him.

“I have been involved in public service in one way or another for most of my life,” he said. “I have no regrets at all, but it is just time. I need to slow down a little bit and spend some time with my grandbaby.”

Hall said when the county hires his replacement, he will work with them to help them settle in, but has set a drop-dead date of April 1 before he makes his exit. Ideally though, he hopes to call it a day at the end of the year.

Hall said he intends to work at the campground for six months out of the year, and spend the balance of his time in Brighton with his family. He said he will remain busy, so he really isn’t going to consider himself fully retired.

“I’ll just have one job instead of several,” he said.

Hall moved to Alpena from White Lake about two decades ago, and he said the people in Alpena made his family feel right at home. He said that will never be forgotten, and is one of the main reasons he has remained in public service locally for as many years as he has.

“The community adopted us as one of its own,” he said. “As much as our home White Lake.”

Hall has always given himself to help others. He spent many years balancing his time as a firefighter for Alpena Township and being a key member of the board of commissioners. He said he has met and worked with many extraordinary people over the years.

Shortly after being hired by the county as 911 Director and Emergency Services Coordinator, the COVID-19 pandemic began and Hall was on the front-lines making sure there was adequate personal protection equipment for medical personnel in the area. He also worked closely with the local health department, schools, and other entities to help protect the residents from the fallout from the pandemic.

Hall said the pandemic wasn’t a factor in his decision to move on, but added his role in battling the disease locally, and working with others with the same goal, is one of the highlights of his career.

Hall also fought off a bout of COVID-19 that landed him in the hospital.

“The people I worked with and the relationships and teamwork we had while battling the disease was amazing,” Hall said. “I see it as a privilege to be in that position during that time. The best way to describe it was an unwanted privilege.”

When asked if he would change anything about his career as a first responder and local government official, Hall was quick to respond.

“I have no regrets and I am completely humbled to have been able to have serviced the people,” he said. “It was all worth it and I am just truly humbled.”