Turlock fire chief to retire for almond job

Tim Lohman is retiring from his position as Turlock Fire Department chief this summer to pursue a career in the almond industry, the fire department announced Wednesday.

Lohman, whose last day is Aug. 15, started his fire service career as a volunteer firefighter with the city of Turlock in 1980. He was hired as a full-time firefighter three years later.

During his career, Lohman has worked as an engineer, captain, battalion chief, division chief of training, division chief of operations and, for the last 4 1/2 years, fire chief.

“It’s been a tremendous ride. I couldn’t ask for a better career,” said Lohman, 53. “I’ve gotten to do everything in the fire service I ever wanted; it just seems natural (to start a new career).”

Two days after turning in his fire hat, Lohman will begin work as manager for Northern Merced Hulling Association, which hulls and shells some 35 million pounds of almonds each year.

Agriculture work is not new to Lohman. Since 1998, he’s owned and farmed 20 acres of almonds at his home in Ballico.

“When I was on shift work it was great because when I was on my days off, I was working as a farmer,” he said.

The city of Turlock has begun an active search to recruit the next chief.

This story was originally published May 20, 2015 at 7:54 PM with the headline "Turlock fire chief to retire for almond job."