As of this week, St. Thomas has its third fire chief in less than a year.
Yesterday, Deputy Chief Dave Gregory was moved into the top spot on an interim basis after Kevin Welsh was removed from the chief’s role.
Welsh came to St. Thomas from the Town of Renfrew in November of last year after Bob Davidson retired suddenly last July.
City CAO Sandra Datars Bere would not disclose the reason for the change in command.
Gregory, a former captain and fire prevention officer has been with the St. Thomas Fire Department for almost 30 years.
Datars-Bere advises a determination will be made as to whether the move will be permanent or the process will begin on hiring a new chief.
In November of last year, Welsh told myFM he was looking forward to a new adventure in his life as St. Thomas Fire Chief.
Datars Bere says a decision will be made in the near future on appointing a Deputy Chief.
Welsh joined the Renfrew Fire Department in January of 2019. Previously he had been a captain and acting platoon chief with the Kingston Fire and Rescue Department, a composite service comprised of career and volunteer personnel.
Written by Ian McCallum
