(File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Melfort hires fire chief

Leonard Whitney hired as new Melfort Fire Chief

Feb 13, 2024 | 2:15 PM

The City of Melfort has hired their new fire chief.

Long-time firefighter Leonard Whitney will take over the position starting April 1.

Whitney has been involved with the Melfort Fire Department for almost two decades and has recently served as the city’s facilities manager.

“I am very excited to have accepted the position of fire chief/emergent management coordinator for the City of Melfort,” Whitney said in a statement released by the city. “I have been with the Melfort Fire Department for 18 years and in that time, I have worked my way up from recruit to firefighter to driver to master driver to lieutenant to captain and now to chief.”

“I look forward to working collaboratively with the city administration, emergency services, and the community to ensure a safer and stronger future for all.”

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City Manager Adam Homes told northeastNOW Whitney was a great fit for a number of reasons.

“It’s been wonderful that he’s been a part of the organization, the Melfort Fire Department for 18 years and he’s been a manager at the city as well,” said Homes. “It’s fantastic news for us to have somebody with that type of experience step up for this role.”

Whitney’s experience with the city was an asset, according to Homes, as he knows the city’s systems and processes. The fact that Whitney was already a captain with the fire department was also a huge benefit.

“During his interview process he just nailed it,” Homes explained.

Homes added that Deputy Chief Doug Walsh will remain head of the department until Whitney starts as chief in April.

Melfort has been without a fire chief since November, when Shaun Stewart was let go from the position. The city would not comment on what led to Stewart’s dismissal.

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK