Following a continent-wide search, Calgary’s new fire chief was found right here at home.
Deputy Chief Steve Dongworth, a 35 year veteran firefighter, was introduced to council on Monday, replacing interim Chief Ken Uzeloc, who took on the role following Bruce Burrell’s retirement in July of this year.
Dongworth began his career in the United Kingdom in 1976, and then came to Canada in 1991, joining the Calgary Fire Department.
“When I came to the Calgary Fire Department from my first department in the U.K., I recognized this was a very special fire department and I’ve had an incredible opportunity here to lead and to show what I can offer in what really is a very easy job. The men and women of the Calgary Fire Department are the best people you could ever hope to lead,” he said on Monday.
Dongworth was names deputy chief in 2000, where he oversaw the city’s 911 emergency call centre.
He takes on the position of Chief on January 1.
