After two years on the job, Unalaska’s fire chief is stepping down.

Abner Hoage will leave next month to lead the fire department in Ketchikan. KRBD reports that the Ketchikan city council approved the hire on Thursday. 

While their vote for Hoage was unanimous, the chief says he’s had a much harder time deciding to leave Unalaska.

"It’s really tough to make that decision when you like the people and you like the community," Hoage says. 

Hoage came to Unalaska after a long career in the Air Force -- and stints in Portugal, Germany and Honduras. In the end, he says the ease of travel from Ketchikan helped convince his family to make their latest move.  

It's not clear who will take Hoage's place in Unalaska. But Hoage believes the fire department is in good hands.

"I’ve got a great group of officers in place here," Hoage says. "They are really knowledgeable and capable. And they really do the work on the ground anyway to keep things going."

Besides the fire department, Hoage will leave a gap on Unalaska’s school board. He currently serves as chairman.