LAS VEGAS (AP) - The top firefighter in Las Vegas is retiring next month after 27 years on the job, including two as fire chief.

Mike Myers announced Tuesday in a statement that his last day will be Feb. 7. He says his wife has taken a new job in Chicago.

Myers worked his way up in departmental ranks since 1986.

City Manager Betsy Fretwell says Myers leaves the department a better and more efficient organization.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that Myers has battled the city firefighters' union over contract issues and a departmental efficiency study that union officials said wasn't needed. He was paid a little more than $200,000 a year.

The union and city are at a contract impasse, and union members voted no-confidence in Myers in September.

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