Westlock County may be on the look out for a new fire chief after long-time chief John Biro resigned and accepted a new position within the municipality.
CAO Peter Kelly confirmed Biro’s resignation, but could not confirm the position will be filled.
“John has accepted a new position and we are reviewing the overall situation and we’ll move forward accordingly,” Kelly told the Westlock News April 1.
Biro’s new position, Kelly said, is with agricultural services and occupational health and safety (OHS).
Reeve Bud Massey applauded Biro for his tenure as fire chief, while supporting his decision to change positions.
“He has been a very good fire chief, and he has now decided he would like to do something else in the organization,” Massey explained.
“We encourage people to take training and to move into different positions, and he’s just exercised his right.”
Massey added Biro left his position as fire chief at his own will, but also could not confirm if, or when the position will be filled.
“We are going to examine the position, our administration will, and come up with a recommendation either to replace that person, or to do it in an alternate way,” the reeve said. “We don’t know what they’re going to bring yet, and we’re going to be open-minded about how do we get the job done best.”
Biro e-mailed a statement to the Westlock News, calling his tenure as chief his “dream job.”
“When I started I didn’t even have a desk, it was a blank slate. I wanted to one day retire doing what I love, but after 18 years the stress of the job has started to affect my health and family,” Biro wrote.
“I put my heart and soul into helping people, just as every emergency service member does. I will miss my members dearly, we were a team, through the good and bad; I couldn’t have done it without my departments.
“I will miss the children’s smiles, they meant a lot to me, and kept me going. I always looked forward to teaching children fire safety and prevention and helping with the Party Program in an effort to deter drinking and distracted driving.
“I’ve seen a lot of destruction and fatalities through my time with many stories that still haunt me to this day.
“The thank-you cards and letters of support is what helped me many times and got me through my day and into the next. I ask that you continue to support our volunteers, they don’t ask for much; a thank you is priceless.”
