BIDDEFORD (AP) — Biddeford’s fire chief is retiring this month after 42 years with the department, the last six and a half as chief.

Chief Joseph Warren turns 64 next month and will retire March 27.

He told the Journal Tribune (http://bit.ly/1GjtGie ) he can’t think of anything he would have rather done with his professional life, although he admits he never set out to be a firefighter.

He wanted to become a Maine State trooper, but fell a half inch shy of the department’s former height requirement of 5 feet, 9 inches.

He was working at a car dealership when a friend suggested he become a call firefighter in Biddeford. He joined full-time in March 1973.

He says he’s looking forward to spending winters in Florida, although he says he’ll miss the camaraderie.