Owen Sound adds two firefighters, including department’s first woman

Jan. 13, 2023, Owen Sound, Ont. – Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services have hired two new firefighters, including Owen Sound’s first female firefighter in its long history.

The new hires, Bethany Pilkington and Kevin Aleinik, return the team to its full complement of 26 firefighters, maintaining the historical staffing levels of the department. Their first day as City staff is January 3, 2023.

Pilkington served most recently as a part of the Orangeville Fire Service team, and prior to that, was a volunteer firefighter in Listowel. In addition to her firefighting experience, she has been a paramedic with Dufferin County Paramedic Services since 2021.

Aleinik, local to Owen Sound, has been a volunteer firefighter with the Town of Saugeen Shores Fire Service since 2019. In addition to his firefighting experience, he is a kinesiologist and has worked in this field since 2016.