October 26, 2016
Stratford Deputy Fire Chief Michael Gornyiczki retires after 29 years
By Laura Cudworth, The Beacon Herald
Published: October 26, 2016
Link to article: Stratford Deputy Fire Chief Michael Gornyiczki retires after 29 years
The impact of Stratford Deputy Fire Chief Michael Gornyiczki's retirement will be felt well beyond the city's borders.
Gornyiczki started his career as a firefighter with the Stratford fire department 29 years ago. He became a fire inspector 14 years later and in 2005 he was promoted to deputy chief. In 2015 he was acting fire chief.
Gornyiczki served as the community emergency management coordinator for about 10 years.
“He played an instrumental role in preparing the city for emergency preparedness exercises,” said Mayor Dan Mathieson. “Our emergency preparedness is second to none and comes from his diligence and hard work.”
North Perth Fire Chief Ed Smith has known Gornyiczki for 15 years and considers him both a colleague and a friend. Smith began his working relationship with Gornyiczki when North Perth was dealing with retrofits and bed and breakfasts in terms of the fire code. Gornyiczki was in fire prevention at the time and they had many conversations, Smith said.
The two became good friends and continued to work together as Gornyiczki took on more responsibilities including County of Perth fire coordinator in 2011.
“Michael did the best for us of anybody I've ever dealt with,” Smith said. “He is a solid person who looked out for the fire service in Stratford and Perth County. He was a well respected colleague and good friend to me.”
Perhaps that friendship was never more evident than when the North Perth fire department was faced with the unthinkable. Volunteer firefighters Ken Rea, 56, and Ray Walter, 30, were killed when the roof of the Dollar Stop in Listowel collapsed during a fire. No Perth County volunteer firefighters had ever died in the line of duty.
“Michael was here and he stood by me,” Smith said.
“Michael was one that was there for me all the time as well as his wife Nancy, who has been good to me and my wife too.”
Perth East and West Perth Chief Bill Hunter had worked with Gornyiczki since he arrived five years ago from Elgin County.
“When I first came up here I knew nobody,” he said. “I was a 100% outsider and Michael was one of the first chiefs that contacted me. It sets you at ease when you're welcomed into the group.”
He called Gornyiczki's contributions as the Perth County fire coordinator “immeasurable.”
One of Gornyiczki's responsibilities was to ensure the mutual aid plan was current with Ontario Fire Marshal guidelines.
“We were, if not the first, one of the first to have that completed,” Hunter said.
Gornyiczki also organized visits from high profile leaders in firefighting for a joint initiative between Perth County and Middlesex County called Firefighters Speak Up.
“He really cared about the departments in the county.”
Hunter also lauded Gornyiczki as a leader.
“The fire service is an ever evolving entity. You need that person who is going to make sure the whole group is moving in the same direction.”
Perth County paramedic chief Linda Rockwood has known Gornyiczki for 16 years. She said he conducted himself professionally always and could be counted on in any emergency situations including leaks from rail cars, water management and the evacuation of the Kashechewan community to Stratford as a result of flooding.
He also took a leading role in the meth task force, she said.
“I've always enjoyed working with Mike. He's dedicated and professional.”
Gornyiczki received the Federal Fire Services Exemplary Services Medal in 2007 and in 2012 he was the recipient of the Ontario Provincial Fire Long Services Medal.