WEST PERTH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2013
Mitchell, ON -The Municipality of West Perth and the Township of Perth East wish to announce that the new Interim Fire Chief for West Perth is Perth East Fire Chief, Bill Hunter.
Since July 3rd, 2013, West Perth has utilized the services of an Interim Fire Chief in retired Chief Ted McCullough, previously of the North Bay Fire Department. Chief McCullough had announced his intention to terminate his tenure with West Perth effective Thursday Dec. 12, 2013.
Chief McCullough said, “It’s been my pleasure to serve as Interim Fire Chief these past 5 months, I’ve enjoyed working with personnel of the West Perth Fire Department, the elected officials and town staff, however it’s time to be going home. I know Chief Hunter will do an excellent job as the new Interim Chief given the good work he has been doing in Perth East.”
In the New Year, West Perth and Perth East will enter into negotiations with regards to a ‘Shared Services Agreement’ for Fire Department Administration and Fire Prevention. Until an agreement can be reached, Chief Hunter will serve as Fire Chief for Perth East and Interim Chief for West Perth.
Chief Hunter said, “I appreciate this opportunity to work with the West Perth Fire Department. Chief McCullough and I share some very similar views on this department’s direction, so the transition should be fairly smooth. Looking ahead to 2014 I can see numerous positive changes for both municipalities with the potential of a shared services agreement.”
West Perth Mayor Walter MacKenzie stated, “We look forward to having Chief Hunter as our Interim Fire Chief in West Perth - he comes highly recommended by Chief McCullough. This time will provide West Perth with the opportunity to consider how it may best move forward in its provision of Fire Services to our Community. Also we want to thank Ted for helping us these past few months, we’re going to miss him but we fully understand his desire to be with his family up north.”
Perth East Mayor Ian Forrest stated: “We are very pleased to be able to offer assistance to our neighbours in West Perth. We are confident that West Perth will be extremely pleased with the skills and professionalism of Chief Hunter. The opportunity to share resources and proven successes within the Perth East Fire Department with West Perth will result in what we believe are significant financial benefits, and also is in keeping with our objective of continuous improvement for our communities and rate payers”.
For more information please contact:
Will Jaques, CAO, Municipality of West Perth
Phone: (519) 348-8429 ext. 225 Email: wjaques@westperth.com
Glenn Schwendinger, CAO, Township of Perth East
Phone: (519) 595-2800 ext. 232 Email: gschwendinger@pertheast.ca