Former Brit to become fire chief for City of Calgary

CALGARY- The City of Calgary has appointed a firefighter with nearly 40 years of experience to become the city’s new fire chief in 2015.

Steve Dongworth, a long-standing member of the Calgary Fire Department, will begin his new position on January 1, 2015.

City council announced Dongworth’s promotion on Friday following a North America-wide search to fill the job.

“I’m pleased Mr. Dongworth will be leading the Calgary Fire Department as our new fire chief,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “He has a track record of collaborative leadership and community partnership that will serve Calgarians well.”

Dongworth first became a firefighter in the United Kingdom in 1976 before immigrating to Canada in 1991, where he soon joined the Calgary Fire Department. Since then, Dongworth has served in a number of capacities including deputy chief of Community Standards, Recruitment and Training and commander of The City’s Public Safety Communications Centre.

Dongworth has received a number of professional accolades since coming to Calgary. He has been awarded The City of Calgary Protective Services Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

He’ll replace interim Fire Chief Ken Uzeloc who has took over the job in July.