The Township of North Huron has appointed Chad Kregar as the new Director of Fire and Emergency Management (Fire Chief) and Ken DeVries as Deputy Fire Chief.
Kregar, a seasoned firefighter with over 21 years of service, steps into the role after serving as Interim Fire Chief. His focus will be on public education, community safety, and ensuring the department meets Ontario's mandatory firefighter certification requirements by 2026.
"Public education will be a main priority,” Kregar said.
He plans to engage schools and other stakeholders to enhance community awareness. He's also committed to bringing stability to the fire service, especially for the firefighters, whom he describes as "the heart of our community."
The firefighter certification requirement, which mandates specific minimum standards by 2026, will be a significant focus for Kregar.
“Cost is something we have to be mindful of," he said. "While the department is in good shape with a full complement of 45 firefighters, there’s still work to be done to meet the new standards."
Ken DeVries, who brings over 30 years of experience in fire prevention and public safety, will support Kregar in managing the daily operations of the department. DeVries has served as a firefighter, District Chief, and most recently, Interim Deputy Chief.