Appointment of New Deputy Fire Chief / Fire Prevention Officer

Mike Rowntree standing in front of a fire truck.
Mike Rowntree. Photo credit: Submitted.
Posted on: March 25, 2024

SUBMITTED

The Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Rowntree as the new  Deputy Fire Chief / Fire Prevention Officer and will officially welcome him to the role in early April.  

Mr. Rowntree, a Township native brings a wealth of knowledge and a modern leadership style, that aligns with  the Township’s strategic vision, from his role in the private sector and his almost 10 years of dedicated service  to Elizabethtown-Kitley Fire & Emergency Services (EKFD). 

“I would like to congratulate Captain Rowntree on his upcoming appointment to Deputy Fire Chief / Fire  Prevention Officer of our esteemed fire department. I look forward to welcoming Captain Rowntree to his new  role. I know he will be an invaluable asset to the residents of Elizabethtown-Kitley and future generations of  firefighters for many years to come,” said Fire Chief Jeff Sargent.  

Rowntree has been a volunteer member of EKFD since 2015 and became a Captain in 2020. During this time,  he has provided dedicated service to the community and is inspired to continue contributing to a team that  works together to achieve a prosperous and sustainable community. He is committed to enhancing and  prioritizing the fire safety portfolio to ensure we create a safer environment for everyone in our community.  

“Thank you to CAO Drynan, Chief Sargent, Council and our members for placing trust in me for this role. Born  and raised in this community, I am proud to take on a leadership position to continue success for the fire service  and Township,” said Rowntree. “I look forward to fostering new and existing relationships throughout the  community with fire prevention and education as a primary objective.” 

“I am very proud of EKFD’s renewed commitment to fire prevention, public education, community safety and  wellbeing,” said CAO/Clerk Leslie Drynan. “Under the leadership of Chief Jeff Sargent our fire department has  made tremendous strides forward in the past few months, both from an operational and workplace culture  perspective. We are truly fortunate to be able to benefit from Captain Rowntree’s calm empathetic servant  leadership style, his technical trade background including code and legislative compliance, his keen and  passionate interest in serving his community as well as his well-rounded knowledge of the fire service. He is  pure joy in human form; such a well deserving promotion.” 

The Deputy Fire Chief / Fire Prevention Officer will assist the Fire Chief in the overall leadership, management,  and administration of the Fire Department. This position is responsible for a number of programs focused on the  achievement of day-to-day operations and strategic objectives including the provision of public education with  respect to fire safety and fire prevention, fire code enforcement, health and safety, emergency management and  response, project management and will assist with fire investigations. 

“Our Family, Helping Yours”

Hometown News
Author: Hometown News