The Municipality of Kincardine has announced the appointment of Kevin McNeilly as Interim Chief of the Kincardine Fire Department.
He officially assumes his new duties today, February 20.
Acting Fire Chief Ron Simmons will return to his position as Deputy Chief.
In a release issued this morning, Kincardine officials say McNeilly is a highly respected leader and brings more than 25 years of experience in fire service and senior managerial experience within larger city and smaller town environments.
He formerly held the position of Division Chief of Training & Development for the City of Brampton Fire and Emergency Services, and Deputy Fire Chief for the Town of Bracebridge.
He currently holds the position of Fire Chief for the Grand Valley & District Fire Department and will continue in that role while he concurrently assists Kincardine during the transition period in which the search for a new Fire Chief is undertaken.
McNeilly is also the current President of the Firefighters Association of Ontario.
“We are pleased to welcome Kevin to the Corporation and the Municipality,” said Sharon Chambers, Chief Administrative Officer, Municipality of Kincardine. “He brings extensive knowledge in public fire safety and administration, occupational health and safety, labour relations, business planning, leadership and team building skills. His appointment will allow the organization time to undertake a more fulsome search for the permanent Fire Chief.”
The announcement follows the retirement earlier this month of former Chief Kent Padfield who had been on administrative leave since December following an investigation into an incident involving a fire truck that rolled in a collision last October.
Two members of the Kincardine Fire Department were charged by South Burce OPP in connection with that incident.
54 year old Michael Moore of Kincardine and Deputy Fire Chief, was charged with careless driving.
33 year old Mark Stopford also of Kincardine was charged with failing to properly wear a seatbelt.
In December Moore was placed on administrative leave pending the completion of the workplace health and safety investigation.
Chief Kent Padfield, at the time, took administrative leave to allow for “a fair and thorough independent” investigation.
Deputy Fire Chief, Ron Simmons assumed the role of acting Fire Chief until today.
Link to original article on iheartradio.ca: Kincardine Names Interim Fire Chief