Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs elect new president and board of directors

Oct. 12, 2022, Ottawa — The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) announced Fire Chief Ken McMullen as its new president alongside its new board of directors  following its annual general meeting on Sept. 14.

“The association couldn’t be in better hands”, said John McKearney, now past president and 2022 Career Fire Chief of the Year, in a press statement. “Chief Ken McMullen has served the CAFC board of directors selflessly for over 13 years, with three of those as vice-president. He chairs the CAFC Mental Health Committee and the Public Safety Steering Committee of the Canadian Institutes of Public Safety Research and Treatment. He has chaired Fire Rescue Canada for over 20 years, bringing our community together for educational and networking purposes.”

“I am honoured to serve the membership and sector,” said Chief McMullen in a statement. “I am looking forward to the strides we will make on key files from advancing the concept of a national fire advisor to firefighter cancer, building codes, dangerous goods, mental health, governance, housing safety, climate adaptation and others. I’m looking forward to working with each and every one of our members, the board, staff, national advisory council, and partners.”

New board members include Chief Greg Jones of Amherst, N.S., a former member of the CAFC National Advisory Council and current president of the Firefighters Association of Nova Scotia, and Chief Paul Boissonneault of Oakville Ont., who served as CAFC president from 2014 to 2016.

Returning board members include Chief Keven Lefebvre of Leduc County, Alta., as treasurer, Data and Building Codes Committee chair; Deputy Chief Keri Martens of Canmore, Alta., who leads the CAFC’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion efforts; and Deputy Chief Richard Amnotte of Laval, Que., who is heading up the CAFC’s French language and membership development files.

Chief Vince MacKenzie, stepped down from the CAFC board after 13 years to take on the role of president of the Maritime Fire Chiefs Association. Chief MacKenzie was also given the inaugural President’s award. He will maintain his role as chair of the CAFC Answer the Call Committee and co-chair of the Great Canadian Fire Census.

Bios of all CAFC board members are available here: https://cafc.ca/page/Board.