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The Uxbridge Fireplace Division is planning forward for a brand new fireplace chief.
Chief Phil Alexander submitted discover of his deliberate retirement final 12 months to permit loads of time for a easy transition that may depart the division in succesful palms.
“I’m grateful to the township for giving me my begin and to return again right here on the finish of my profession was good; it was full circle,” mentioned Alexander, who has been with the division for 35 years since he began as a volunteer. He additionally loved a full-time profession with Markham Fireplace earlier than he took over as chief in Uxbridge in 2017. “It’s been a full profession and I respect all the pieces.”
Alexander has had some memorable moments with the division, from rescuing a firefighter trapped in a fireplace to seeing the significance of the division’s public schooling work first-hand.
“We did a session at Scott Central Public Faculty on the significance of smoke alarms and spent a while with two twin ladies who didn’t have smoke alarms at house and had been satisfied to get them by means of our presentation. The subsequent day they'd a fireplace at their house,” Alexander recollects.
“I used to be answerable for the primary truck responding and man, oh man, what a reduction it was to see them exterior. Speak is reasonable; smoke alarms save lives, and that was impressed on me eternally that day.”
Alexander has seen the division develop and alter in some ways, from getting a brand-new fireplace corridor to new recruits to new gear — which has not too long ago included low-angle rescue gear to help throughout path rescues, wildland firefighting gear, a soon-to-arrive new pumper, and an aerial platform to help with combating fires in taller buildings.
“That will likely be an actual change in the best way we battle fires,” Alexander mentioned.
Starting on Jan. 1, the division put in a brand new assistant fireplace chief, Mike MacDonald, former president of the Uxbridge Firefighters Affiliation, to mentor below Alexander throughout his remaining six months.
“Our fireplace division is unbelievable they usually work so properly collectively; there's a household tradition on the division that’s vital to us and we didn’t wish to lose that,” mentioned Uxbridge Mayor Dave Barton of the transition interval.
“The conversations we had revolved round ‘how do we modify the management whereas sustaining that household environment?’” Barton continued. “My hopes are Mike will be capable of fill the large footwear of Chief Alexander over time and we maintain the magic.”
Ideally, if all goes properly throughout the mentorship, the tip aim can be to maneuver MacDonald into the chief place seamlessly, though it’s not assured. For MacDonald, the following six months are an vital mentorship alternative both manner.
“What I’m hoping to remove from the transition interval is as a lot info as I presumably can from the mind of Phil Alexander,” he mentioned, laughing. “I’m simply trying ahead to making an attempt to realize as a lot information and be taught from his knowledge and expertise as a lot as I can earlier than he leaves.”
For Alexander, ending up his time with the division is bittersweet, however he's assured will probably be in good palms.
“The hearth division is a really paramilitary group so as soon as you allow you’ve left your mark, then it’s as much as the brand new chief to function the division,” he mentioned. “I believe we’ve executed job and been capable of present good management in that respect. Particularly throughout COVID, I believe we’ve executed job corporately as a staff throughout the board. These issues ought to all go on easily for the following particular person.”
Though he’s stepping away from his skilled capability, he received’t be removed from the division.
“I’ve made loads of friendships within the fireplace service proper from the start to now, and retirees from right here nonetheless meet for breakfast and get collectively so I’m trying ahead to taking part in that for certain.”
STORY BEHIND THE STORY: We break down the plan to transition to a brand new fireplace chief in Uxbridge, together with what the issues had been for a brand new chief, and the way they plan to proceed as regular following the retirement of Chief Phil Alexander.