By Cecilia Nasmith
The Town of Cobourg is pleased to announce the appointment of Ellard Beaven as the Cobourg Fire Department's new Interim Fire Chief, effective April 11.
Beaven is joining the department on an interim basis, and will be responsible for the administration and co-ordination of all its activities through the supervision of subordinate officers and firefighters. He will plan, organize and direct departmental operations with respect to equipment, apparatus, inspections and personnel.
The announcement cited Ellard's wealth of leadership, public-safety knowledge and passion for the community he serves, as well as its fire services.
“He is well-versed in labour relations, focused on relationship building, and has provided both management and leadership oversight to large and diverse groups of stakeholders, elected officials and staff,” it said.
It also listed his services with such professional bodies and associations as Timmins Professional Firefighters Association (where he had a term as president), Grievance Committee (chair), Health and Safety (chair) and Negotiations Committee (member). He also represented the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs on the Occupational Health and Safety Committee, as well as the Section 21 Committee.
“We are confident that Ellard's combined years of experience in the fire services in a larger composite department, along with his background working as part of the senior management team, will prove to be valuable to our team in Cobourg,” Chief Administrative Officer Tracey Vaughan said in the announcement.
“Mr. Beaven's deep-rooted passion for public safety and his focus on community will serve us well.”
Beaven previously served as Deputy Fire Chief with the Timmins Fire Department, where he led the operations of 28 suppression staff, two training officers, three fire-prevention officers and 130 volunteer firefighters.
During his career in Timmins, he attended working fire-and-rescue calls, managed the budget, took command when required under the incident command system, and ensured adherence to the Protection and Prevention Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Section 21 Guidance notes and all operational procedures and guidelines.
“I would like to thank the Town of Cobourg for selecting me as their Interim Fire Chief,” Beaven said in the announcement.
“I am looking forward to working with the firefighters of the Cobourg Fire Department, administrative team, mayor and council, as well as building relationships with the stakeholders of Cobourg. I am confident that this will be an excellent opportunity for the fire department and myself to continue to move the organization forward during my tenure.”
