TORONTO FIRE CHIEF HONORED

WHITEHORSE, YUKON, September 25, 2008 –Toronto Fire Chief William Stewart has been named Full Time Fire Chief of the Year by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC).

The award was announced at the closing ceremonies of the CAFC’s annual Fire-Rescue Conference in Whitehorse last night.

Chief Stewart is 36-year Fire Services veteran, having served in the former City of York Fire Department prior to amalgamation of the City of Toronto on January 1, 1998. He heads the largest Fire Services in Canada and fifth largest in North America, with 82 fire stations and over 3100 personnel.

Among his many responsibilities, he has served as a member of the Professional Standards Setting Body, Ontario Fire College, in the review of all standards for firefighter training in Ontario; is Chairman of the Fire Apparatus and Equipment Committee, Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada; is President of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association; International Association of Fire Chiefs/National Fire Protection Association; and is the International President Elect of the Institution of Fire Engineers.

Incoming CAFC President Bruce Burrell, Fire Chief of Calgary, congratulated Chief Stewart and noted “On this, the 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, we are particularly pleased to be able to recognize as Fire Chief of the Year, a man with such impressive credentials in Canada and the world.”

There are almost 3500 full-time, composite and volunteer fire departments across Canada, with over 108,000 firefighting personnel. Volunteers comprise 91 percent of departments and some 77 percent of personnel.

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Information:

Don Warden

Executive Director
Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs
Cell: 705-444-9745
Blackberry: 705-717-8009

www.cafc.ca

Dawson City Fire Chief Jim Regimbal
President of the Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs
Tel: 867-334-6371

Click on the icon below to download the press release (.pdf format)

Biography : WILLIAM A. STEWART Fire Chief – Toronto Fire Services

Chief Stewart is a thirty-six year Fire Service veteran having served in the former City of North York Fire Department for 26 years prior to the amalgamation of the new City of Toronto on January 1, 1998.  He has served as an operations fire fighter, Captain, Administration Chief, Assistant Deputy, Deputy Chief and the Fire Chief since May 1, 2003.

Bill has served as a member of the Professional Standards Setting Body, Ontario Fire College, in the review of all standards for fire fighter training in Ontario.  He is also the Chairman, Fire Apparatus and Equipment Committee, Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada; Past President, Institution of Fire Engineers (Canada Branch) as well as an Advisory Board Member of Humber College, Fire Services Program and Durham College, Fire Services Program.  He also serves as the President of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, and International Association of Fire Chiefs/National Fire Protection Association and is the International President Elect of the Institution of Fire Engineers.

Bill is a graduate of the Ontario Fire College, Technology Diploma Programs, general and advanced levels, Executive Development Program and the Canadian Emergency Preparedness College.  He also holds professional designations from the Institution of Fire Engineers FIFireE; Ontario Municipal Management Institute, Certified Municipal Manager CMM, and the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, Chief Fire Officer, CFO designation.  Bill is committed to life long learning, and is currently serving as a Board member for Public Administration and Governance, Ryerson University.