Fire Chief McKenzie Announces Retirement

The Town of East Gwillimbury Fire Chief Rob McKenzie has announced he will be retiring from East Gwillimbury Fire and Emergency Services, effective December 31, 2023.

Chief McKenzie joined East Gwillimbury as Fire Chief in 2019. During his time with the Town, Chief McKenzie has many accomplishments including leading the Town’s Emergency Operations Centre and Emergency Services team through our first-ever state of emergency with the COVID-19 pandemic. He also led a joint Fire Services Review in partnership with the Town of Georgina. As a champion for the three lines of defence, Chief McKenzie has supported the Fire Service by helping to increase the Town’s public education and inspection teams, building the Town’s suppression team to 20 full-time firefighters, and doubling the complement of paid-on call firefighters.

Council thanks Chief McKenzie for his dedication and contributions to the Fire and Emergency Service in East Gwillimbury.

The Town has selected Larry Brassard as an interim Fire Chief. Mr. Brassard served as the Interim Fire Chief for Huntsville, as the municipality recruited a full-time Fire Chief and previously served as the Fire Chief in Milton and Gravenhurst and as Deputy Chief of Operations in Waterloo and Halton Hills. In addition to his leadership roles in the fire service, he has experience working with the Office of the Fire Marshal in the Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit.

The Town will initiate a recruitment process for a full-time Fire Chief early in 2024.