James S. Clack has resigned as Baltimore Fire Chief less than a year after he was appointed to a new six-year term.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced his resignation in a release emailed to the media late today.

A lightning rod of criticism for closing two fire companies last year and supporting the mayor’s efforts to lengthen firefighter shift hours, Clack “plans to return to Minnesota to spend more time with his family,” the mayor announced.

Sources tell The Brew that Clack’s wife, Rose, planned to move to the state to be with her aging parents. Clack was hired by Mayor Sheila Dixon in 2008 after a 22-year career in the Minneapolis Fire Department, where he last served as fire chief.

No Advance Warning

Clack, who is 52, will step down effective July 26, Rawlings-Blake announced. Assistant Chief Jeffrey R. Segal will serve as acting fire chief “pending a search for permanent replacement.”

At a budget hearing before the City Council this week, Chief Clack gave no indication that he was planning to resign. Michael Campbell, president of Fire Officers Association Local 964, said he was “very surprised by the news.”

“I wish Chief Clack and his family well,” Campbell said tonight. Rick Hoffman, president of Fire Fighters Association 734, said that regardless of the policy clashes he has had with the chief, “He’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.”

Lauded by Mayor

In her statement, Rawlings-Blake lauded Clack for reducing fire deaths last year to “an all-time low” and for improved fire response times and increased citizens’ access to free smoke alarms.

“Chief Clack’s commitment to improving the overall operations of the department has prepared us for further achievements in the coming years,” the mayor said.

Acting Chief Segal, 44, is a Baltimore native who joined the fire department in 1987 as a firefighter. He advanced through the ranks to become Assistant Chief of Operations two years ago.

Clack was the first person from outside the department to reach its highest post. Last July, he reached an agreement with the mayor and Board of Estimates to continue as fire chief until 2018, just hours after he closed Squad 11 and legendary Truck Company 15 in East Baltimore.

The closing of the two companies – and other measures instituted by Clack – were supposed to cut fire department costs. But costs remain stubbornly high, fire deaths have been on the upswing this year, and some members of the mayor’s inner circle have reportedly not been impressed with his leadership.