The City of North Bay announced today the appointment of Greg Saunders as the City’s Interim Fire Chief. Saunders, who currently serves as Deputy Fire Chief Operations, will assume the interim duties this Saturday.
“We are very pleased that Greg has accepted this interim role,” said Lea Janisse, Interim Chief Administrative Officer with the City of North Bay. “He has been very involved in the day-to-day operations of the City’s three fire halls and we are confident in his ability to lead the department during this transition period.”
Saunders has been with the North Bay Fire and Emergency Services Department since 1997. He has held a number of roles during that time including firefighter and Acting Captain. He was appointed Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 2015.
In addition to Saunders’ appointment, Mike Bechard, Deputy Fire Chief Fire Prevention, will take on the role of Acting Community Emergency Management Coordinator. Bechard has been with Fire and Emergency Services since 2008 and has a strong fire prevention and emergency planning background. He was instrumental in the City’s long duration response to the formaldehyde spill on Highway 63 in 2012.
The search for a permanent fire chief to replace the retiring Grant Love is currently underway.
