INNISFAIL – Gary Leith has climbed another rung up the protective services ladder.
On Feb. 18 Todd Becker, the Town of Innisfail's chief administrative officer, presented a report to council that outlined a key organizational adjustment to the town’s senior leadership team, which now adds a fourth director.
Since 2016 Leith has been the town’s manager of Fire & Protective Services, which includes the responsibility of fire chief, oversight of municipal enforcement services and emergency management.
“Although the manager of fire and protective services has done an exceptional job with this level of responsibility, there is risk associated within the current structure and the level of responsibility and expectation placed on the manager,” said Becker in his report to council.
Leith is now promoted to director of Protective Services, and will be part of the town’s senior leadership team with Becker, Erica Vickers, director of corporate services; Meghan Jenkins, director of community services and Steven Kennedy, director of operations.
Council unanimously approved a motion to receive the new positions of director of protective services and fire chief as information.
Becker told the Albertan on Feb. 19 that Leith’s promotion is “effective immediately” and he now has the primary task of finding a new fire chief for the town.
“I’ll support him. One of his primary jobs is to now build out that position profile and go to the market and find the right person for that position,” said Becker, adding Leith will still have an important role with firefighting in his new elevated role. “Gary’s task is to build the system and making sure the operations are functioning at a high level, and he will participate where required.
“If it needs leadership to fill a void with a significant issue he will participate in those times.”
Becker said Leith’s office will remain at the Innisfail fire hall until at least two years.
“What's anticipated is that Gary's going to continue to build out that service, and right now he'll be present at that location to have his influence as needed,” he said.
Leith told the Albertan he “appreciates” the opportunity to join the town’s senior leadership team, as well as the support he has received from council, the community and administration over the past eight years.
He added the challenge is to move forward and hire a new fire chief, adding it’s a good move to have one that will be dedicated solely to that role.
“It's a huge step forward for (the town), and will hopefully it will free me up to focus on community and regional safety and emergency management and fire response,” said Leith, adding he hopes to have a candidate in place by the fall.
Leith said it’s his “desire” to continue his work out of the fire hall.
“I think I get the best out of my people by being there and having that open door,” he said. “I don't want to go to those lofty heights of the town office and be removed from what's going on with the team.”
Mayor Jean Barclay welcomed Leith’s promotion, and said the move will better serve the residents of the town and area.
“I look at our call volume for the last four years, and in 2020 they've gone from 279 calls up to 448, so it’s quite a massive increase,” said Barclay, adding the fire department is also responding to Highway 2 accidents and is part of a regional mutual aid agreement.
“There's a lot of things on their plate, and we have to remember our fire department members are paid on call, and they're all working at other jobs,” she said. “I think it's really a safety move, and one that will serve the organization better.”
