North Cowichan has appointed Ron French as Interim Fire Chief. Ron succeeds Martin Drakeley who announced his resignation earlier this month.
Ron brings more than 40 years of fire leadership experience to North Cowichan. He is currently the Superintendent of Fire Services with BC Wildfire Service. He previously served as Deputy Fire Commissioner with the Office of the Fire Commissioner, Fire Chief with Central Saanich Fire Department, and Deputy Fire Chief with North Saanich Volunteer Fire Department.
Ron comes into the interim role at a pivotal time with the North Cowichan Fire Department. The largest paid on-call fire department in B.C. has been undergoing significant modernization. Earlier this year, paid on-call members voted to join the Canadian Union of Public Employees, and contract discussions are underway.
Ron will begin his role on August 25 and will remain the Interim Fire Chief while recruitment for a permanent fire chief takes place, which is expected to begin later this year.
Bylaw Services, previously reporting to Martin Drakeley, will continue to be led by Manager, Bylaw and Business Licensing Services Kim Ferris. A review of the organization structure will be considered as part of recruitment for a permanent fire chief.
Chief Drakeley’s last day is August 25. The municipality thanks him for his four years of service and dedication.
The North Cowichan Fire Department has approximately 100 paid on-call members reporting from four fire halls. In addition to responding to more than 1,250 calls per year, the department has fire service agreements with Quw’utsun First Nation, which includes the Cowichan Tribes, the Halalt First Nation, the Lyackson First Nation, the Penelakut Tribe, and the Stz'uminus First Nation. It has mutual aid agreements with the Cowichan Valley Regional District, City of Duncan, Ladysmith, and the BC Wildfire Service, regularly responding to calls in support of large events or wildfires.
