FIRE CHIEFS OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, September 27, 2007 –Fire Chief Randy Wolsey of the Edmonton Fire Rescue Services has been named Canada’s Full-time Fire Chief of the Year.  Director of Community Protection for the Mohawk of Kahnawake Territory, Terry Diabo, is the Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year.  Kahnawake is located off the Island of Montreal in close proximity to the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Both awards were announced last evening during the closing ceremonies at the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs’ annual conference held in Niagara Falls, Ontario.   

Director Diabo was the founding President the Aboriginal Fire Fighters Association of Canada, a position that he held for 10 years.  Fire Chief Wolsey has become recognized as a leading spokesman for the fire service on the shortcomings of the Canadian and Alberta Building Codes.

Ontario Fire Marshal Patrick Burke, is President of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs.  In congratulating Fire Chief Wolsey and Director Diabo, he said that, while there are major differences between the Edmonton and Kahnawake fire services, the two award winners share important characteristics.

“Both of our Fire Chiefs of the Year are mandated to protect the lives and property of their citizens.  To do so effectively, they must be committed to training, public education and appropriate equipment,” CAFC’s President observed.  “More than anything else,” he added, “they have equally shown themselves to be true leaders.”    

There are 3,500 fire departments in Canada and 108,000 firefighting personnel.   Volunteers comprise 91 per cent of all departments and 77 per cent of total personnel.

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For more information, contact:
Ontario Fire Marshal Patrick Burke                Telephone:       416-325-3090
President, CAFC                                            Cell phone:      416-435-6134

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