FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2015
Barrie Announces New Fire Chief
Barrie, ON – After nearly 40 years in the fire service, 31 of those with Barrie Fire and Emergency Service (BFES) and nine as Chief, Fire Chief John Lynn is hanging up his helmet. On Monday, City Council approved the appointment of Deputy Fire Chief Bill Boyes as Barrie’s new Director of Emergency Services (Fire Chief). Deputy Boyes will officially assume his duties as Chief on January 1, 2016.
Deputy Boyes joined BFES in 2014 as the Deputy Fire Chief of Operations and Training. In this role he is responsible for the leadership of 149 staff in the Operations and Training divisions along with the department’s equipment and facilities. He also oversees the provision of Hazmat and Technical Rescue services to surrounding municipalities, acts as the management chair of the Joint Health and Safety Committee, leads various recruitment and promotional processes and acts as Fire Chief when required. Additionally, Deputy Boyes is the only Canadian member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Service Executive Board and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) – Firefighter Safety Through Advanced Research (FSTAR) group.
Joining BFES in 1985, John Lynn was promoted to Fire Chief on May 15, 2007. He leaves behind a career full of achievements including the construction of the new Barrie Fire Headquarters on Dunlop Street and the new Fire Station #5 in the City’s south end. He was also instrumental in the development of a temporary training centre in Barrie to allow firefighters to train locally and the establishment of Technical Rescue Agreements with surrounding municipalities. He is well known for his support and participation in community charity events and his willingness to take a pie in the face, streak his hair pink, or have water poured over his head for a good cause.
QUOTES
“The City of Barrie has been tremendously fortunate to have had Chief Lynn at the helm of Barrie Fire these past nine years. His dedication and service to our community has been truly outstanding. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence and achievement that I know will continue under the new Chief.”
- Mayor Jeff Lehman
“I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Deputy Boyes for the past year. He has proven his ability and commitment to moving BFES forward and becoming the next Fire Chief for the City of Barrie. It has been an honour to serve the last nine years as Fire Chief, and 31 years serving the citizens of Barrie as a member of Barrie Fire and Emergency Service.”
- Chief John Lynn
“Under Chief Lynn’s leadership, BFES has positioned itself as a fire service leader in a number of areas and it is my goal to build on and continue with this legacy. I am honoured to lead an incredible group of fire service professionals within BFES that are focused on delivering the highest quality educational, preventative, communication and emergency response services possible to the community and the citizens of Barrie.”
- Deputy Chief Bill Boyes
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For further information contact: Emma Sharpe |
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