Municipality of Meaford Fire Chief Courtney Allen has been named the new fire chief of King Township.
Allen, who has over 20 years of leadership in fire and emergency services including the past four years with Meaford, will begin his new role on Feb. 1
“It has been an incredible four years and a great experience with great people. The small, dedicated team of firefighters here are some of the best people I have ever worked with,” Allen said Friday. “I am looking forward to the next step in my career.”
Allen said moving to the larger service is a next step in his career, going from about 300 calls a year in Meaford to about 1,500 calls a year in King Township. He said the position opened up so he applied and “just about fell over” when he was offered the job.
“It is a big volunteer service with three halls, 150 volunteers and 1,500 calls a year,” said Allen. “It is quite a bunch busier, but it is still a volunteer service, which is really important to me.
“It is an advancement in my career, which is key. And when an opportunity knocks you can’t not take it.”
Allen said King Township is a nice area close to the GTA with services close by, but added he will miss the small town life.
Before coming to the Meaford department in January 2021, Allen served as acting sector chief and captain for the Ottawa Fire Services from 2004 to 2020.
He also has a background in information technology and digital services, serving as director of global information technology at Saba Software.
Allen has a Fire Service Executive Management Certificate from Humber College, a Fire Leadership Certificate from Dalhousie University and a Master’s Certificate in Business Analysis from Carleton University.
While Allen’s last day with the Meaford department is technically Jan. 31, he said his final day at work was Friday, with holidays next week.
In a statement issued by Meaford Senior Communications Officer Holly Moroney on Friday afternoon, Allen was called a transformative leader who has left a lasting impact on the fire service and community.
“During his time in Meaford, he led several key initiatives that strengthened our department, including the acquisition of a new aerial fire truck, bringing health and safety under Fire Department management, and creation of vital positions such as Fire Prevention/Training Officer and Deputy Fire Chief,” the statement read. “His leadership also helped foster stronger working relationships across Grey County.
“We appreciate his contributions and wish him success in his new role.”
To ensure continuity in the fire department’s operations, on Monday Meaford council will consider the appointment of Deputy Chief Rob Pilon as interim fire chief.
In the coming weeks the municipality will also launch a recruitment process in accordance with its hiring policy to select a full-time permanent fire chief for the Meaford Fire Department.
In leading King Fire and Emergency Services, Allen will work with a team that includes two deputy fire chiefs, six senior command officers and 150 volunteer firefighters. With firehouses in King City, Nobleton and Schomberg, they protect an area of 333 square kilometres and a population of over 28,000 residents.
In Meaford, the fire department includes a chief, deputy chief and 35 volunteer firefighters.