UCLUELET, BC– The District of Ucluelet has hired its first full-time fire chief, and he’s coming from just up Highway 4 in the Alberni Valley.
Chief Rick Geddes has served as the deputy chief for the Sproat Lake Fire Department and Acting Unit Chief for the BC Ambulance Service. Geddes’ new role will be to lead the district’s fire and protective services department and will include oversight of Ucluelet’s emergency management program.
The Ucluelet Volunteer Fire Brigade consists of 23 fully trained firefighters and provides essential fire and first responder protection service for our growing community.
“I am both honoured and excited to become the first full-time fire chief for the District of Ucluelet,” said Geddes. “I look forward to developing upon the high level of fire protection and emergency preparedness that has been established within the community.”
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“We look forward to the new addition to the fire department but also to our administration for the district,” said Ucluelet mayor Mayco Noël.
“Going forward we have many opportunities on the horizon for our community and being prepared is the motivation behind the hire.”
Geddes will begin his new role with the District of Ucluelet on May 13.
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The hiring of a full-time fire chief is a significant step in the progression of services provided by the District of Ucluelet. The new role will increase planning and implementation of fire protection, fire inspection, and emergency preparedness services. The department will also look to renew fire services agreements with the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District and ensure the implementation of new agreements including the recently approved agreement to provide fire protection service to the YuułuʔiłʔatḥGovernment – Ucluelet First Nation community of Hitac̓u.
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susie.quinn@albernivalleynews.com
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