West Kelowna's new fire chief Jason Brolund once worked as The Emergency Operation Centre's liaison officer.
Image Credit: Contributed
February 10, 2015 - 5:24 PM
WEST KELOWNA - The District of West Kelowna announced their new fire chief today.
Jason Brolund takes the place of retiring West Kelowna Fire Rescue chief Wayne Schnitzler who leaves his position March 27, 2015.
“I am extremely pleased to join West Kelowna Fire Rescue as their Chief," Brolund said in a media release. "I have served alongside many West Kelowna firefighters during active emergency operations and I know that Chief Schnitzler and his assistant chiefs lead a dedicated and highly-skilled team of emergency responders. It will be an honor to lead and work alongside this crew for years to come.”
Brolund brings more than 19 years firefighting experience to the job. He is currently deputy fire chief for the Kelowna Fire Department and is an adjunct instructor for the Justice Institute of British Columbia. He's served as a firefighter, first responder, dispatcher and fire inspector while serving with the City of Kelowna. He's also worked as a paramedic for the B.C. Ambulance Service. It all began with earning a Bachelor Degree in Technology, majoring in emergency management. He also holds a fire service leadership diploma and a computer information systems diploma.
“Many of us know Jason well, having worked with him during Emergency Operations Centre activations, and already know he is a strategic leader with exceptional relationship building skills and a calm, results-driven approach,” General manager of administrative and protective services, Tracey Batten said. “We are extremely fortunate that Jason will be joining our senior management team and leading West Kelowna Fire Rescue.”
Kelowa Fire Department chief Jeff Carlisle says he's sorry to be losing such an exceptional team member.
“Jason’s commitment, leadership and diligence to the Kelowna Fire Department over the last 12 years has been extraordinary," Carlisle said. "Jason has been an exceptional chief officer and will be missed by KFD. However, we know opportunities to become fire chief don’t come along very often and Jason is ready for this next assignment.”
To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
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