'It was just time,' says Mitchell Fire Chief Marius Laursen who is resigning from his role

MITCHELL — After 26 years with the Mitchell Fire Division, Marius Laursen is stepping down as chief of the department.

Laursen is resigning as the fire chief, Mayor Bob Everson confirmed. Everson said he was informed that Laursen will transition from his role with the city to work for a private entity. Laursen has served as the fire chief for more than two years.

“It’s crazy to think. I’ve spent half my life here,” Laursen said.

An opening for the job was posted on the city’s website . Prior to being tabbed as the fire chief, Laursen worked his way up to become the assistant fire chief. His last day on the job will be Mar. 24.

Laursen began with the fire division in 1997 as a paramedic and firefighter. He went on to become fire marshal in 2010, ultimately moving his way up to become the chief of the fire division.

“It was just time. God puts you on a path and said it’s time to be done. I have an opportunity to go work with Avera Queen of Peace, and I couldn’t pass it up,” Laursen said of the factors behind his decision to resign.

Laursen said his new role with Avera is in the emergency management realm, which he noted is similar to his position as fire chief. As of the January 2023 payroll attached on the council agenda, Laursen’s annual salary was $106,632.

In late 2020, the city restructured the chief of Mitchell’s Department of Public Safety position and eliminated the role, which oversaw both the Mitchell Police Department and Fire Division.

As a result of the elimination of the position, Laursen was named the fire chief and Mike Koster was tabbed as the chief of police.