Lacombe County appoints new fire chiefs for Clive and Alix fire departments

For Steve Zaytsoff, firefighting is more than a career—it’s been part of his life since childhood.

“The fire department has been part of my family for years,” said Zaytsoff. “Since I was young, I always knew I wanted to be part of it.”

According to county officials, Steve’s journey began in 2004 through Lacombe Composite High School’s work experience program. At just 19, he completed his NFPA 1001 training at Lakeland College. Over the years, he advanced through the ranks of the Clive Fire Department, serving as a firefighter, captain, and, most recently, deputy fire chief.

In his former role, Steve was responsible for day-to-day operations, incident command, and supporting training efforts. He has also participated in provincial wildfire deployments, including deployments to Nordegg, Fox Creek, and most recently Swan Hills and Red Earth— experiences that further shaped his leadership under pressure.

Now stepping into the role of District Fire Chief, Steve says he is focused on expanding the department’s membership and enhancing its training programs.

“I’m excited to give back to the Clive community in a meaningful way,” said Zaytsoff. “We have a strong department and a great group of volunteers. I’m looking forward to building on that foundation and helping our team grow even stronger.”

Outside the firehall, Steve is said to enjoy golfing and spending time with his wife and two children. He encourages anyone interested in volunteer firefighting—particularly those available during the day—to reach out and consider joining the Clive department.

Corrie Anderson, meantime, began his fire service journey in Northwestern Ontario in 1992—an experience sparked by tragedy but driven by community, say county officials.

“A good friend of mine was in a fatal motor vehicle collision, and the way the local volunteers stepped up really left an impression on me,” said Anderson. “It made me realize I wanted to give back in the same way.”

Since then, firefighting has become a core part of Corrie’s identity, note county officials. He has held positions as firefighter, captain, and deputy chief across two departments. In addition to his volunteer roles, Corrie works in the oilfield industry as an operations manager and emergency responder, bringing a wealth of hands-on knowledge in incident command and safety protocols.

When the opportunity arose to lead the Alix Fire Department, Corrie saw it as a natural next step in his service.

“This is how I give back,” said Anderson. “Some people coach sports or volunteer at clubs—this is my way of supporting the community.”

As District Fire Chief, county officials say Corrie’s top priority is recruitment. He aims to grow the team while strengthening its already strong sense of camaraderie.

“The Alix department feels like a second family,” he added. “We’re a tight-knit crew, and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Corrie is said to spend his free time with his family, camping and fishing in Central Alberta.

Like many volunteer departments, county officials say Alix Fire is always looking for new members and welcomes anyone interested in joining their team.

Furthermore, Lacombe County thanks both outgoing fire chiefs for their dedication and commitment.

Darren Hiron, Fire Chief, Alix Fire Department (2015-2025)

The county says Darren began his dedicated service with the Alix Fire Department in 2000, motivated by a desire to give back to his community and supported from day one by his employer, Rahr Malting. Over the next 25 years, officials note, he witnessed—and helped guide—the department’s evolution from a small regional service into an integral part of the Lacombe County Fire Service, peaking at 35 active members.

In 2015, Darren was appointed fire chief, a moment he describes as one of the proudest of his career. His commitment deepened in 2005 when he, his wife, and their two daughters were involved in a serious car accident. Darren and his wife were critically injured in a car accident—only to be rescued by the very team he had joined, a memory he carries with him always.

As he steps down from the chief’s role, county officials say Darren plans to continue his work with the Alix Medical First Response Team, as a medical first responder and asks the community to rally behind the department’s next chapter.

“Please support your fire department by volunteering or backing our team—your involvement is crucial to keeping our service strong and delivering life-changing help when it matters most. It’s an amazing feeling to give back to your community.”

Monte Zaytsoff, Fire Chief, Clive Fire Department (1992-2025)

Lacombe County also extends its sincere thanks to Monte Zaytsoff, who served as District Fire Chief of the Clive Fire Department for an incredible 33 years. Throughout his tenure, county officials say Monte provided steady leadership, mentored countless firefighters, and helped shape the department into the respected and capable team it is today. His dedication to public safety, commitment to his community, and decades of volunteer service are deeply appreciated and is expected to leave a lasting legacy in Clive and Lacombe County.

The county says both District Fire Chiefs will work closely with Lacombe County’s Manager of Fire & Emergency Services and local municipal leaders to guide their departments, mentor volunteers, and strengthen fire services within their communities. Lacombe County extends a warm welcome to Steve and Corrie and looks forward to the positive impact they will bring to their teams and the people they serve.

by rdnewsNOW staff

Lacombe County appoints new fire chiefs for Clive and Alix fire departments

What's Trending