New fire chief has arrived

INNISFAIL – The town's new fire chief has arrived.

Gary Leith, 50, officially began his new job Monday, Oct. 31. Originally from Liverpool, England, Leith brings more than 30 years of experience to his new job.

He is the fourth fire chief in Innisfail in less than three years. When longtime part-time chief John Syroid stepped down in late 2013, Dan Ross was hired as Innisfail's first full-time fire chief in early 2014. However, he was let go in early October of that same year. Dean Clark was then hired and served as chief for about a year and a half before being fired on Sept. 7.

Leith was introduced to the community and media on Oct. 31. He went on his first call the prior evening with deputy chief Dennis Fehr. He then went on a tour of the town on Monday.

"I intend to hopefully meet them all (Tuesday) evening for training," he added.

That first meeting with volunteer firefighters is considered essential to the volunteer members of the department, with most initially shocked and frustrated over Clark's abrupt firing, and some "surprised" at how quickly Leith was hired in the aftermath.

"I can't speak for everyone but I can speak for some. We were a little surprised," said Tim Ainscough, an assistant deputy chief who has acted as a spokesperson for volunteer members since the firing of Clark. "I know for myself I was surprised as there was no consultation and it happened fairly quickly, but it was that lack of consultation. All we were given was a name – 'this is your new fire chief, here's his name.'

"We had zero input on this hiring," added Ainscough.

However, Leith arrives in town with impeccable professional credentials.

He served as a firefighter for 28 years in the United Kingdom, and then four in Canada, including a short stint as a volunteer firefighter and operations chief for technical rescue in Red Deer County. However, before arriving in Innisfail he was the fire chief and emergency services coordinator with Husky Energy in the oilsands for two years.

Leith said he's not fully aware of the circumstances surrounding Clark's dismissal but he did say he's prepared to step up and be the chief his firefighters and the town need.

"I will make my intent clear to the firefighters and the protective services employees and volunteers, of where the department is going and how I'm here to support them in what they do," said Leith. "And to ensure they are equipped and suitably trained. Their safety is paramount."

In the meantime, Ainscough said it's important for the new chief to meet with the volunteer members quickly, and to get acquainted with the way the department has operated.

"When Chief Clark joined he came in and spent time with the individual officers and asked questions and learned about some of the systems and procedures we had in place," he said. " He didn't come in and try to clip the apple cart on Day 1.

"We are interested to meet Gary and learn about Gary," he added. "Everybody needs to be open to it. It's change, but we are open to it and we will move forward."