There will soon be a new Fire Chief in town. The hiring of Mr. Brent Smith was approved by council this week and will soon replace Brian George as the head honcho of the local Fire Department. In February 2021, the Municipality began recruiting for a new Director of Fire Services / Fire Chief in response to the current Director of Fire Services / Fire Chief providing notice of their retirement and anticipated departure in June 2021. Following an extensive recruitment process involving multiple candidates and multiple rounds of interviews an Offer of Employment was made to Brent Smith and he has accepted coming over from his current role as Director of Fire and Emergency Services and Community Emergency Management Coordinator for the Township of Malahide. Fire Chief Brian George says there were over 40 applicants and that Smith is very familiar with the community.
Mr. Smith has over 25 years of experience working in Fire Services, including 6 years of service with the London Fire Department as a Fire Prevention Inspector/Fire Investigator, and 6 years of service in a senior leadership role as the Director of Fire and Emergency Services with the Township of Malahide. He also brings significant experience in the operation of a Volunteer Firefighter Force, having been a member within the Central Elgin Fire Rescue service for 20 years, and leading a Volunteer Firefighter Service at the Township of Malahide. The move becomes official on May 31st after a transitional period.