Kelowna fire chief retires after 42-year career

KELOWNA  – After 42 years firefighting, Kelowna Fire Chief Jeff Carlisle is hanging up his hose.

Carlisle has been Kelowna’s Fire Chief for the past six years. His resume includes being the Fire Chief for the Vernon Fire Department, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, and Deputy Chief for Fort McMurray.

Additionally, Carlisle was a firefighter in the Canadian Forces for 24 years.

“We wish Jeff all the best in his retirement and we want to thank him for his dedicated work to maintain the fire department’s exemplary reputation in emergencies and in the areas of public education and fire prevention,” said Mayor Colin Basran in a press release.

During his time in Kelowna, Carlisle focused on public education and creating a safer community, according to the press release.

He oversaw various programs which helped to standardize emergency response. In order to do so, Carlisle created a revenue generating dispatch centre, in which other city’s now use as a contracted service, as well as overseeing the development of a new Emergency Management Program.

Carlisle will officially retire March 3.

Until a new Fire Chief is selected, an interim chief will be appointed internally.

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