Fire Chief

Why Work for the Township of Wilmot?

At the heart of everything we do is our community. Wilmot is a cohesive, vibrant, and welcoming countryside community with a mission to evolve and grow as a community of caring people working together, building upon a sure foundation.

Join us — come experience growth with us.

Make a difference in our community
Join a team that takes pride in serving our community and shaping the future of Wilmot. Every role here contributes to making our township a great place to live, work, and play.

Enjoy balance and flexibility.
We understand that life happens beyond work. Our hybrid work options, flexible schedules, and competitive vacation policies help you maintain a healthy work–life balance.

Comprehensive benefits and peace of mind.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package and participation in the OMERS pension plan, providing long-term security and support for you and your family.

Be part of a connected team.
We value collaboration, inclusion, and a positive workplace culture. Enjoy employee events, team-building opportunities, and a workplace where you’re appreciated for who you are and what you do.

Work where community matters.
At Wilmot, you’re not just an employee — you’re part of a community that cares, innovates, and grows together.

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Position: Fire Chief

Closing Date: February 25, 2026

Pay Range: $120,651.73 to $146,599.60

Training and Development: Paid training opportunities.

Work hours: 35 hours per week.

Hybrid Work Opportunity: While the Township offers a hybrid work policy, we recognize the importance of key leadership roles being on-site regularly to foster collaboration, team engagement, and effective oversight.

Location: Parks & Fire Administration Centre

Vacancies: 1                                                                       

General Purpose:

The Fire Chief is the senior administrative and operational leader of the Township of Wilmot Fire Department, a volunteer fire service operating under the authority of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA) and the Township’s Establishing and Regulating Bylaw.

The Fire Chief provides strategic leadership, financial stewardship, and professional oversight of fire suppression, emergency response, fire prevention, public education, training, emergency management, and firefighter health and safety.

The Fire Chief is accountable for delivering efficient and effective fire protection services that reflect:

• Provincial legislation
• Municipal Bylaws and policies
• Industry best practices
• The safety and wellbeing of Wilmot residents and firefighters

The role reports to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and serves as the Township’s senior subject matter expert on fire and emergency services and emergency management.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Corporate Governance

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for Fire & Emergency Services in alignment with Wilmot’s corporate strategic plan and Council priorities.
• Ensure all fire service operations comply with the FPPA, the Township’s Establishing and Regulating Bylaw, Fire Code regulations, and applicable provincial standards.
• Provide expert advice to the CAO and Council on service levels, departmental performance, risk trends, and legislative or regulatory changes.
• Lead long-term planning initiatives including station location analysis, apparatus life‑cycle planning, volunteer staffing models, and community risk reduction strategies.

Legislative Compliance & Municipal Bylaw Oversight

• Ensure full compliance with:
  • Ontario Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA)
  • Ontario Fire Code
  • Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
  • Township of Wilmot Establishing & Regulating Bylaw
  • Other applicable provincial statutes, standards, and codes
• With the support of HR, develop, implement, and maintain departmental policies, Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs), and procedures aligned with legislative requirements and industry best practices.
• Serve as the Chief Fire Official and enforce applicable fire safety legislation and bylaws as required.

Financial Leadership & Asset Management

• Develop and administer the Fire Department’s annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring strategic allocation of municipal resources.
• Provide long-term financial planning for apparatus, equipment, SCBA, PPE, and training.
• Ensure compliance with Township procurement policies and public-sector financial practices.
• Explore and pursue grants, partnerships, and cost-sharing opportunities to support departmental initiatives.

Operational Readiness & Incident Command

• Ensure 24/7 operational readiness of volunteer firefighters, apparatus, and facilities.
• Provide leadership, oversight, and quality assurance for all fire suppression, rescue, medical first response, hazardous materials operations, and technical rescue capabilities.
• Respond to major incidents and assume or delegate the role of Incident Commander.
• Maintain and enhance mutual/automatic aid agreements with neighbouring municipalities.

Emergency Management Leadership

• Serve as the Township’s Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) in accordance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
• Oversee municipal emergency planning, training, exercises, and Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) readiness and annual mandatory compliance with the province.
• Provide guidance to the CAO, Mayor, and Corporate Leadership Team during declared or major emergencies.

Health, Safety & Wellbeing (Firefighters and Community)

• Champion a comprehensive health and safety culture in compliance with the Ontario OHSA, including Joint Health and Safety Committee participation, workplace inspections, and safe operating procedures.
• Lead initiatives addressing firefighter psychological health and safety, critical incident stress management, and cancer prevention.
• Ensure preventative maintenance, safe use of equipment, and adherence to exposure-control protocols.
• Oversee community risk reduction, fire prevention inspections, public education, and outreach programs.

Training & Professional Competency

• Oversee a structured training program based on recognized standards (e.g., NFPA guidelines where adopted by the Township).
• Ensure all volunteer firefighters achieve and maintain necessary competencies and certifications aligned with the E&R Bylaw and community needs.
• Support leadership development, officer training, and succession planning.

Volunteer Workforce Stewardship

• Provide overall leadership and direction to the volunteer workforce, in partnership with Human Resources, to ensure effective recruitment, engagement, and retention.

• Foster a respectful, inclusive, team-oriented culture that strengthens volunteer commitment.
• Ensure fair and consistent performance management and professional conduct.
• Participate in investigations, disciplinary processes, and corrective actions as appropriate, with HR leading process, documentation, and compliance.
• Communicate operational needs and cultural priorities to HR to support continuous improvement of volunteer workforce practices.

Communications, Community Relations & Public Information

• Serve as the primary spokesperson for Fire & Emergency Services, working closely with Corporate Communications.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with residents, community groups, regional partners, and external agencies.
• Promote transparent, proactive communication regarding fire safety, emergency preparedness, and departmental initiatives.
• Upon request, prepares reports, makes presentations and provides advice and guidance to Council on incidents, fire protection, fire prevention, inspections, communications, and other fire related issues and strategies, and new or pending legislation and regulatory guidelines
• Communicate regularly with District Fire Chiefs and other Officers to ensure compliance with policies and procedures set down by provincial legislation and municipal by-laws

Delivery of Programs and Services

• Ensures Standard Incident Reports are filed to the Fire Marshall’s office for every incident
• Ensure the development, implementation, monitoring, and maintenance of departmental policies and procedures, in collaboration with Human Resources, to support effective operations.
• Maintains and upgrades knowledge of standard levels of service and suitability of equipment to meet the needs of the municipality; attends fire chief conferences, seminars and educational programs as required
• Oversees the delivery of Public Education Programs throughout the community; ensures special/high risk groups are identified and programs/measures are in place to promote fire safety
• Assists in the development and maintenance of the Township emergency plan, and emergency preparedness program and acts as alternate CEMC; conducts tests to ensure integrity; acts as a member of the Emergency Control Group in the event of an emergency in the municipality
• Represents Wilmot Fire department on tiered response and mutual aid, emergency working committees in the Region of Waterloo; assists the regional fire coordinator with program planning
• Participates in the Waterloo Regional Mutual Aid Fire Service Association Programs

• Collaborates with the building department to evaluate site plans, zoning change proposals, subdivision agreements, and new building designs, assessing their suitability and compliance for the fire services department.

Qualifications:

• A university degree or (or equivalent) in Fire Prevention/Protection Technology, Public Administration or a directly related discipline
• Completion of the Ontario Fire College NFPA 1021 Fire Officer 4
• Certified Fire Investigator, Certified Fire and Life Safety Educator
• Must possess or obtain within a reasonable time frame the Community Emergency Management Coordinator (C.E.M.C.) designation from Emergency Management Ontario.
• Minimum of ten (10) years as a senior officer level in a fire department.
• Ability to work effectively within a political and public-sector administrative environment.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and people‑management skills suited to a volunteer environment.
• Strong financial and strategic planning abilities and demonstrated experience in budget development, asset management, and long-term planning.
• Proven track record in emergency management, fire suppression, fire prevention, and health and safety leadership.
• Demonstrated leadership, team building, interpersonal, organizational, supervisory, time management, public relations and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively across the organization
• Thorough knowledge of Ontario’s Fire Legislation and Regulations and the Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Valid DZ driver’s license with a clean driving record and a clear criminal background check

Working Conditions:

• Availability for emergency response to major incidents, and after‑hours requirements.
• Work is carried out at emergency sites on municipal streets, highways, rural properties, often during severe weather conditions.
• Work is subject to significant stress caused by response to emergency situations and unknown working conditions, on call and available to department Company Officers.
• Participate in Council meetings when requested, as well as required departmental training and fire and emergency services meetings that may occur outside regular business hours.
• Occasional exposure to disagreeable conditions at fire scenes and/or fire stations

At the Township of Wilmot, we are proud to offer a rewarding workplace with benefits that go beyond the basics, including:

• Competitive wages
• Comprehensive health, dental, and wellness benefits
• Employer paid benefit premiums
• A secure pension plan to support long-term financial well-being
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick days
• Three personal float days each year
• Flexible work arrangements, where possible
• Employee and family assistance program
• Paid training and development opportunities to support ongoing growth
• Access to recreation facilities

We thank all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.