Champlain Township has a new director of fire services.
Former Hawkesbury Fire Chief Ghislain Pigeon began his duties with Champlain Township on December 14.
Having worked for the Town of Hawkesbury from 2001 to 2015, Pigeon began his career in administration of fire safety in the 2000s by sitting on various Ontario fire safety committees. Following various school programs such as the Canadian Emergency Preparedness College and the Ontario Fire College, Pigeon held the
positions of volunteer firefighter, permanent firefighter, fire prevention officer, and fire departments coordinator in various municipalities for more than 40 years. In 2015, he left the Hawkesbury Fire Department to become Fire Chief of the Brockville Fire Department.
“I am proud to join the Township of Champlain and to manage its fire department. I already know many firefighters, I believe that the Township has a very good team at the fire department, we will be able to work together to ensure that we offer a professional service to our citizens,” Pigeon said, according to a township press release.
Reporting to the CAO, the new director will be responsible for leading, managing, planning, and overseeing all aspects of the Fire Department, including the operation and management of the two stations in the township. Pigeon will be responsible for the two district chiefs, two deputy chiefs, seven captains, and approximately 40 volunteer firefighters. His office will be located at 927 County Road 17, in the Construction and By-law Office. The Fire Services Director will eventually take over from Dan Holmes, Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CCEMC), and will administer the local emergency plan and health
and safety initiatives for the township.
Champlain Township extends its thanks to Dan Holmes for his dedication and involvement during his many years with the township. Champlain Township has been without a director of fire services since 2012.
