Council welcomes Fire Chief John deHooge

At the City Council meeting on January 27, Mayor Larry O’Brien officially introduced Ottawa’s new Fire Chief, John deHooge. The Mayor and new Chief made the following remarks at the Council meeting.

Notes for remarks by His Worship Larry O’Brien
Official introduction of Fire Chief John deHooge
Wednesday, January 27, 2010

I would now like to invite the City of Ottawa’s new Fire Chief, John deHooge, to join me at the podium.

On January 11, Chief deHooge officially joined our Fire Services Branch after serving as the General Manager of Protective Services and Fire Chief for the City of Waterloo.

Prior to joining the City of Waterloo, Chief deHooge had served for 25 years with the Town of Oakville Fire Department.

A long-standing member of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, the Chief has also served as a member of the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Performance Measurement & Benchmarking System, shaping fire-safe communities. In 2003, Chief deHooge was awarded the Canadian Association of Fire Chief’s Award of Excellence.

Chief deHooge’s extensive experience and dedication to fire services is exactly what our city needs in a Fire Chief – after all, Ottawa Fire Services is the largest composite fire service in Canada with 983 full-time employees and 425 volunteer firefighters.

You will face many challenges in your new role, and we at the City are confident that you will tackle each one with the professionalism and grace that you’ve demonstrated throughout your career.

Chief deHooge, on behalf of the more than 900,000 residents of the City of Ottawa, I am pleased to welcome you on board.

Thank you.

Chief deHooge’s response to welcome by the Mayor
Council Meeting - January 27, 2010

Hello and thank you Mayor O’Brien and members of Council for the warm welcome in my new role here in Ottawa.

Thank you also to the Fire Services Band for such a rousing version of O Canada.

Ottawa Fire Services continues to be a model of excellence for fire prevention and suppression internationally thanks to the support of Council and dedication of staff.

The City of Ottawa was the first municipality to support the installation of residential sprinklers, which not only reduce the amount of property lost in fires, but also prevents the spread of the fires to adjoining residential units.

The recent series of fires in residential units has reinforced the importance of practicing fire safe behaviour, and ensuring you Wake Up! Get a Working Smoke Alarm. A working smoke alarm provides early warning of a fire providing occupants the time needed to safely evacuate and early intervention by Fire Services. Early detection of fires coupled with a home escape plan, will assist in surviving a fire.

I would also strongly encourage all residents to ensure they have homeowners insurance, whether you own property or are renting. Insurance coverage assists not only with the replacement of personal belongings, but could also provide for temporary accommodations and living expenses.

I have had the privilege and honour to serve as a member of a number of excellent fire services and I know that Ottawa will be no exception. I look forward to what we can achieve here working together.

Thank you very much for your reception. I look forward to working closely with you in the future.

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