After 38 years of military and civilian fire service, Neil Anderson is calling it a career.
The City of Stratford’s Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief is set to retire June 30.
Anderson, serving the Stratford FD for the past nine years, was honoured at Monday’s city council meeting.
In an interview with MyStratfordNow, Anderson said he retired as Commandant of Canadian Forces Fire in 2017.
Anderson was hired as deputy chief and community emergency management coordinator in the Festival City and became fire chief in 2023, which he described as a wonderful opportunity.
“Especially working for the community and with such amazing firefighters.”
Anderson said the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the biggest challenges faced in the role and he realized how dedicated his staff were and how many people in the community were willing to dig deep to try and find ways of providing services.
It was these experiences that taught him a big lesson.
“Stratford wants to help.”
Anderson said he will miss working with his fellow firefighters and once he retires, plans to go on vacation.
Richard Anderson (no relation) will take over as acting fire chief July 1, and will maintain the role until a permanent replacement is hired.