Rob Girard, Revelstoke’s Fire Rescue Service Chief, has been appointed interim Emergency Program Coordinator for the Emergency Management Program.
The position became vacant when Lyle Huntley, director of corporate affairs and communications, resigned on Tuesday. Huntley had been appointed EMP coordinator last month to replace Simon Hunt.
A professional firefighter with 15 years of service in various communities, Girard has extensive experience as a site incident commander in different levels of emergencies during his career.
A statement from the City said he was seconded based on his skills and abilities to the Office of the Fire Commissioner, in the Planning Section of the Ministry Regional Operations Centre (MROC), during the 2003 Interface Fire season. His professional education includes Level 1 and level 2 firefighter certifications, JIBC Fire and Safety Studies, Hazmat, Advance Incident Command and various levels of Emergency Operations Centre and Emergency Program Coordinator courses and workshops.
“Coupled with his education in emergency services, Rob brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our interim Emergency Program Coordinator position,” the statement said. “Rob is a highly motivated individual and is dedicated to making a difference to our community with respect to emergency situations.”
Mayor David Raven said he has “complete faith in Chief Girard based on my personal observations of his problem-solving and decision-making abilities.”
Revelstoke Chief Administrative Officer Tim Palmer said “Rob will be able to lead, assess and precisely anticipate the team’s next move with our communities safety in mind” in every kind of emergency situation.
“It is what every community would want from their Emergency Program Coordinator,” Palmer said in the statement.
As for Girard himself, he said he was honored to fill the interim Emergency Program Coordinator position.
“Keeping our community safe and knowing we have the people, who will make a difference when we activate our Emergency Operations, will make future emergency events a success,” he said.
