Kaleden’s long-serving fire chief announces retirement

PENTICTON – It’s the end of an era for the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department as Fire Chief Darlene Bailey announces her retirement.

The long-standing fire chief’s last day on the department will be June 16, according to a press release issued by the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen today, June 9.

Bailey has served the community for 43 years as a firefighter, 27 of those years as fire chief in the community.

Bailey’s service began in 1974, taking on the fire chief’s role in 1990. Her dedication to the role and the community as fire chief has been exemplary, managing the department through many changes.

“The community of Kaleden and the surrounding areas have been incredibly fortunate to have had the leadership, commitment and dedication to community, that Chief Bailey has brought over the many years. Chief Bailey exemplifies the truly dedicated volunteer,” Tom Siddon with the RDOS says in the release.

Deputy Fire Chief Denis Gaudry will fill the role as interim fire chief until a replacement is selected.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.