The Chief Officers of Red Deer Emergency Services. Fire Chief Ken McMullen - centre. (RDES)

By Sheldon Spackman

Recognizing Strong Leadership

Red Deer Emergency Services hosts Swearing-in Ceremony

Oct 4, 2020 | 8:00 PM

Members of Red Deer Emergency Services (RDES) gathered recently for a small but special ceremony to welcome new leaders to its team of chief officers and say thank you to some retiring members.

A Swearing-in Ceremony was held at RDES Headquarters on Sept. 30 and also featured the presentation of provincial and federal medals to members.

Fire Chief Ken McMullen says some of their new chief officers have actually been in town since February and March at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We brought on a new deputy chief and then assistant deputy chief and fortunately this week, we were able to finally fill our compliment of chief officers,” says McMullen. “So we did a ceremony on Wednesday for each of those folks to more formally welcome them to their role.”

Individuals with new roles include Deputy Chief Chris Kearns, three new assistant deputy chiefs – Matt White, Jon Evans, and Curtis Schaefer.

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A pair of senior leadership retirements were also acknowledged during Wednesday’s Swearing-in Ceremony.

McMullen says Deputy Fire Chief Bart Rowland was thanked for his 35 plus years of service.

“Bart very fortunately for us has maintained a role within the City of Red Deer,” he explains. “He is now the Manager of Municipal Policing for The City and that has actually been in place for some months now. But again, due to COVID, we just hadn’t had a chance to bring Bart back and formally thank and recognize Bart for his tremendous efforts and work that he did with Red Deer Emergency Services.”

Deputy City Manager and former GM of Utilities and Protective Services, Paul Goranson, also retired this week. He too was recognized for his more than 30 years of service.

“As being the direct oversight for Red Deer Emergency Services, we wanted to again, recognize and acknowledge Mr. Goranson for his tremendous support,” he points out. “Not only to Red Deer Emergency Services, but I can tell you quite openly that for all uniformed men and women in Red Deer, Director Goranson was just a fabulous supporter. So we invited Mr. Goranson in for a few words and presented him with a small plaque for our appreciation.”

However, every time there is change, there is opportunity adds McMullen.

“A good leader surrounds himself with great leadership and that’s exactly what I’ve been fortunate enough to do in this organization, is surround myself with just fabulous leaders,” he exclaims.

“We were able to draw some interest from individuals from outside of our province and from outside our portion of the province,” he continues. “As well, we were equally successful in recruiting some individuals internally that have come up through the ranks of Red Deer Emergency Services and I think that speaks for itself.”