The city has appointed an acting fire chief as it works toward filling the position permanently.
At this week’s council meeting, a bylaw was passed that appointed Chris Ferry as acting chief. He previously served as a captain, and then deputy chief, with the Orillia Fire Department.
The move comes after Brent Thomas left the top job to become joint fire chief with the departments in Innisfil and Bradford West Gwillimbury. He started his new role Sept. 27.
Ferry is a 24-year veteran of fire and emergency services and has been with the Orillia department for 18 years.
Thomas had been part of the city’s emergency management committee, established in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ferry has taken over that role.
Council also approved the appointment of Steve Miller as deputy fire chief.
It is not yet known when the position of fire chief will be filled permanently.