October 12, 2012
New Gravenhurst fire chief announced - Lorne McNeice retires - GRAVENHURST – The town will be losing some 40 years of firefighting experience but picking up almost as much.
On Thursday, Oct. 11, 40-year Gravenhurst Fire Department veteran and chief since 1985 Lorne McNeice announced his retirement. Shortly after, Mayor Paisley Donaldson announced the hiring of Larry Brassard as the new director of Fire and Emergency Services and as the new full-time fire chief for the Town of Gravenhurst.
“It is time to hang up my helmet and call an end to my 40 years of service,” said McNeice. “I have been very fortunate to spend a lifetime with so many fine people.”
McNeice has faithfully served the department since 1972, starting as a volunteer firefighter and rising through the ranks to the appointment of deputy chief in 1975, then chief in 1985, “a position he has held with great dignity, loyalty, and courage,” Donaldson said.
“Over these 40 years, Lorne has always made the safety and welfare of the community of Gravenhurst and the District of Muskoka a priority,” the mayor said. “He was responsible for the implementation of public fire safety education programs such as Older and Wiser, The Arson Prevention Program for Children, and Alarmed for Life. These programs have saved lives and promoted a safer community.”
“Today I want to, first and foremost, congratulate Chief McNeice on his years of dedicated service in fire protection, prevention and education in our community,” added Deputy Mayor Jeff Watson. “He has served the Gravenhurst Fire Department well and has been instrumental in meeting the needs of our growing community.”
His retirement becomes official as of Oct. 14 and the following day, Brassard will assume the role. Donaldson said the new chief is a 37-year veteran of the Ontario Fire Service with extensive experience in all facets of fire department operations including fire prevention, training and administrative functions. He has served as a career deputy chief and fire chief in the towns of Halton Hills and Milton, and until very recently, worked as the deputy fire chief in the City of Waterloo, a position he has held for the past five years.
His career path also saw him spend 20 years with the Halton Regional Police Service where he served in various capacities including community patrol, investigative services, forensics and the emergency response unit.
He is a graduate of many courses at the Ontario Fire College including the general and advanced levels of the Fire Protection Technology course. Brassard has studied current issues in municipal administration at the University of Western Ontario and is a Certified Municipal Manager and a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator.
Importantly, he served his home community as a volunteer firefighter for more than 30 years so he is especially in tune with the unique demands placed on volunteers.
For more on McNeice, please see the Oct. 17 issue of the Gravenhurst Banner.
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