A familiar face in the community will be taking over as the new chief for Chatham-Kent Fire and EMS.
Bob Crawford will take over the role of Chatham-Kent’s fire and paramedic chief on January 15, 2018. Crawford, who was the fire chief for the municipality from 2001 to 2013, will step down from his position as general manager of community development on December 15.
Chatham-Kent's Chief Administrative Officer Don Shropshire began recruiting for the position after former chief Ken Stuebing was hired as the fire chief in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
"When we reviewed the needs of the fire and paramedic service, we realized that we needed a unique set of skills and experience. I asked Bob Crawford to consider the chief’s job and he accepted. Bob did not apply for this position,” says Shropshire.
He says the municipality interviewed some "extremely capable applicants," but Chief Crawford demonstrated the best skill set and experience for the job.
Crawford, who recently filled in as the chief on an interim basis, says he enjoyed his time in community development but is looking forward to returning to emergency services. Crawford, who has dedicated most of his life to emergency services, started his career off as a firefighter in North York in 1979.
“I believe we are doing some vital and important work in community development and that work will continue,” says Crawford.
Shropshire says a decision has not been made yet on filling the general manager’s position.