With the upcoming retirement of Scott Wilkinson as Deputy Chief, the City of Niagara Falls is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Lawson as Deputy Chief in the Niagara Falls Fire Department, effective April 15, 2024.
Reporting to Fire Chief Jo Zambito, Mr. Lawson has over 20 years of experience in Fire Services in various capacities. Most recently, he has been Port Colborne's Fire Chief since 2021. During this time, Mr. Lawson led the department in implementing a new data management system, upgraded the department's hazardous material response capabilities, and launched a new training facility for suppression staff.
Mr. Lawson started his professional journey as a volunteer firefighter in the town of Grimsby and gradually climbed the ranks to become a captain. He completed his Fire Prevention Officer Diploma from the Ontario Fire College. He then served as a fire prevention officer in various places such as Niagara-on-the-Lake and St. Catharines before finally joining the City of Port Colborne in 2015.
In 2015, Scott participated in the prevention program located in Port Colborne. He re-energized the program by placing emphasis on public education as the first line of defence. The department and its community partners were recognized for their dedication to public education and won three consecutive Fire Marshal's Public Safety Council Fire Safety Awards.
Mr. Lawson holds a civil engineering diploma and NFPA certification and is near completion of his Bachelor of Applied Business in Emergency Management.
Please join us in thanking Mr. Wilkinson for his service and welcoming Mr. Lawson to the City of Niagara Falls.