On Friday, Prince George Fire Chief Cliff Warner will be calling it a career.
Warner has been part of multiple roles, beginning his career in 1995 as a fire dispatcher, becoming a firefighter, then to chief of the dispatch centre, moving through each of the deputy chiefs before taking his current role.
“It’s been quite the time to spend to reflect back and look at what 30 years has been like.” said Warner.
“I’ve often said I’ve had a pretty unique career here, touching all aspects of the department, either through working or supervising and managing. It’s been interesting to see how the department has grown, how the City has grown, how we’ve changed.”
In his tenure, Warner said a lot of the focus has been on more structure and safety, which resulted in them getting fires out typically quicker with less loss.
He said one of the biggest changes came from membership progression, incorporating a group from the Lower Mainland, getting training on strategies and tactics roughly 20 years ago, seeing the training translate to the department over the last 10 years.
As for the next fire chief, Warner said he, along with the leadership group, wishes there would’ve been more time to mentor, but notes he began his succession and preparing those individuals to be the next leaders when he started as Fire Chief.
Warner said he’s proud of what they’ve been able to accomplish, and what he’s been able to be a part of, adding he will be leaving happy.
Once retired, he said there will be some camping and travelling being done, and intends to remain in Prince George to be with family.
As of today (Wednesday), a new Fire Chief has not been announced.
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