Revelstoke Fire Chief Rob Girard hangs up his helmet

The City of Revelstoke has announced that Fire Chief Rob Girard is retiring on Mar. 22 and that he will be replaced by Assistant Chief Roger Echlin on June 1. Here is the city’s Mar. 21 media release:

The City of Revelstoke’s Fire Chief Rob Girard retires tomorrow after more than 10 years service to the community and a combined 34-years service in both the provincial and municipal government fields. Assistant Chief Roger Echlin takes over as Fire Chief effective June 1, 2018.

“It was our pleasure having Chief Girard as the leader of our Fire Department”, said Allan Chabot, Chief Administrative Officer, “Rob worked tirelessly for his department to strive for excellence in the fire rescue services they provide to our community.” Chief Girard became Fire Chief in 2008, and for the past decade led a group of 49 firefighters, both career and volunteer.

Assistant Fire Chief Echlin has been with Revelstoke Fire Rescue Services for over 25 years and currently is the Fire Inspector. The fire department, over the past two years, has been preparing for this change in leadership, as a result of Chief Girard’s pending retirement. “A good succession plan is key to any progressive organization such as ours,” said Fire Chief Rob Girard: “Roger will build upon past successes and take the Fire Rescue Services Department from ‘good’ to ‘great’ with the support of the dedicated and professional men and women of the department.”

“Under Chief Girard’s leadership, we saw much needed upgrades to the fire rescue fleet and additional apparatus, a comprehensive training program to meet the declared service level under the ‘Playbook’, a First Responder Program, a Live Fire Training Centre and a well functioning emergency program,” said Mayor Mark McKee. McKee stated “Chief Girard should be very proud of what he and his team have been able to achieve for our community and its preparedness and ability to respond to fire rescue service needs. We look forward to our new Chief, Roger Echlin, continuing this tradition of excellence.”