Fire Chief

The Fire Chief serves as the head of Centre Wellington Fire Rescue (CWFR), a division of the Township of Centre Wellington, and is a key member of the Township’s Management Team. In addition to overseeing the delivery of fire services, the Fire Chief also contributes to overall corporate strategy, organizational leadership, service integration, and continuous improvement initiatives of the Township. This role provides expert professional advice and recommendations to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Senior Management Team, and Council on matters related to public safety, emergency management, risk mitigation, and fire services governance.

This position is responsible for providing strategic leadership, overall direction, and coordination of essential fire and rescue services, ensuring the effective delivery of fire suppression, rescue operations, and emergency response services within the Township. The Fire Chief also ensures that public safety education, fire prevention, and life safety code enforcement programs comply with Township policies and provincial legislation, including standards set by the Solicitor General of Ontario.

This role includes comprehensive oversight of departmental operations, including personnel, fire stations, apparatus, and equipment, ensuring that service levels meet community needs and Council approved priorities. The Fire Chief carries a high level of responsibility and authority for the safety, wellbeing, and welfare of staff, volunteers, and the public.

• Provides leadership in developing and monitoring progress on CWFR objectives that are in line with corporate strategic planning initiatives, identifying and resolving obstacles and guiding, coaching, and mentoring direct and indirect reports in the division.
• Leads and supports a diverse team of Deputy Chiefs (2), and directs Deputies, District Chief, Captains and Firefighters directly & indirectly as required, ensuring effective management and coordination of varied skills and technical functions.
• Ensures an inclusive, successful and collaborative organizational culture while supporting a learning environment and positive employee relationships.
• Ensures the chain of command is identified and adhered to by CWFR staff.
• Assigns work activities, projects, and programs, reviews and evaluates methods and procedures, meets with the CWFR management team on a regular basis.
• Directs employee performance reviews and appraisals and encourages employee training for current responsibilities and future succession planning initiatives.
• In conjunction with the Human Resources Department, resolves employee disputes and disciplinary matters as they arise.
• Ensures effective and efficient utilization of human resources within CWFR, under the leadership of the CAO and Human Resources Department.
• Attends Council meetings and applicable Committee meetings as directed by the CAO. Prepares and/or approves staff reports and presentations for CWFR.
• Represents the Corporation and CWFR as an ambassador and at special events in the community with citizens, special interest groups, service clubs, Province, County, Professional associations, and other municipalities as required.
• Makes recommendations to the CAO and Human Resources Department on department staffing needs or structure changes needed to provide department efficiencies or improve customer service.

• Perform the statutory duties of the Fire Chief under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
• Manage the overall administration and operations activities of CWFR.
• Analyzes and accountable for discharging the applicable requirements of Provincial Codes, regulations, standards and communiques for action items effecting CWFR.
• Ensure that CWFR follows all Township policies and procedures.
• Implements CWFR’s initiatives outlined in the annual Business Plan.
• Implements Council directives and decisions with follow-up on implementation and corrective actions as required.
• Directs the establishment, maintenance, and management of operating procedures and programs for all operational needs of the division.
• Directs…