Ian Cummings is remaining in his job as fire chief, although some details have evolved.
Cummings has been named as the first full-time chief for the Armstrong-Spallumcheen Fire Department.
“I am very pleased to see the hiring of Chief Cummings” said Chris Pieper, Armstrong mayor.
Cummings has been the community’s volunteer chief for many years.
“A long-time member of the department, Chief Cummings is prepared to create a long term strategy and meet the increasing demands of new legislation, legal, economic and social factors of running a fire department,” said Pieper.
The city and township initiated a review of the fire service in 2013 in order to plan for the future, support long-term objectives and maintain the effectiveness of the department.
One of the identified challenges of the review was the demands and expectations on the fire chief as a volunteer. As a result, a decision was made to hire a full-time fire chief.
“The township looks forward to Chief Cummings continuing to provide leadership for the fire department and fulfilling the new duties of the full-time fire chief position,” said Joe van Tienhoven, a Spallumcheen councillor.
Cummings will start his new duties Jan. 1.