A new rural fire chief, Daniel Ross, former fire chief of Charlie Lake Fire Department, will be joining the Kneehill County Protective Services Department on Tuesday, May 22.
Kneehill County Council set the Rural Fire Strategy as one if its primary strategic goals to accomplish in 2018. The fire strategy is a key document which will provide guidance for Council to ensure the protection of Kneehill County residents in regards to a rural focused fire service.
Ross joined the military out of high school serving six years with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based out of Victoria, BC, and Calgary, AB, which included two United Nations Peacekeeping Missions to Croatia. He then became a military firefighter for the remaining 14 years of his military career, including serving one tour in Afghanistan and completing various fire service certifications such as Firefighter Level 2, Hazardous Materials Technician and all four levels of Fire Officer certification as well as a Bachelor Degree in Business.
he retired from the military in 2011 and moved into municipal firefighting with Yellowhead County as a Deputy Fire Chief for nine departments. After six years with the YCFD, Dan continued to expand his portfolio by becoming the Manager of Emergency Services and Fire Chief for the Peace River Regional District where he received his Chief Fire Officer Designation, becoming recognized as member of the International Association of Fire Engineers.
Ross has a daughter in Lethbridge and will be welcoming his first grandchild shortly. When not in the fire station, Ross spends as much time as possible camping around Alberta.
He is looking forward to the new adventures with Kneehill County, and is anxious to start working with our staff and the fire departments of the area.
