Kingston Fire Chief Announces Retirement

Published on: 2015/07/06 - in Releases

After 33 years in emergency services, Rhéaume Chaput, chief of Kingston fire and rescue, has announced his retirement effective August 31, 2015.

“It’s time for me to spend more time with family,” Chaput said. “I am very proud to have served with Kingston fire and rescue and know the management team is exceptionally well qualified to carry on over the transition. I am confident that all of the projects we have underway will carry on uninterrupted.”

Chaput began his service as chief of Kingston fire and rescue on January 7, 2013. He came to Kingston with more than 25 years of experience in fire services as well as experience managing the full scope of fire operations, including: strategic plan development to address current and future needs, budget and business administration, emergency management and response, fire prevention and education and risk management.

Chaput began his municipal career as a firefighter with the Town of Pembroke and progressed through to the role of fire chief in 2006. Prior to coming to Kingston, Chaput was the director of fire and emergency services and fire chief for the City of Belleville in 2008.

“Chief Chaput has led some important initiatives for the City including the interoperability project, helping our emergency response agencies to better work together,” said Gerard Hunt, CAO for the City of Kingston. “I congratulate Chief Chaput on his years of dedicated service and wish him all the very best as he starts the next chapter of his life.”

Among Chaput’s achievements are:

*  Bringing PulsePoint to Kingston, a first in Canada. PulsePoint is an app that alerts those with CPR training of a heart emergency for quick response.
*  Initiating Wake-Up Kingston, a program to ensure that every home in Kingston has working smoke alarms.
*  Spearheading Stop Texting, a campaign to reduce motor vehicle collisions caused by distracted driving.

An interim chief will be appointed before the end of August and the process to hire a new chief will begin shortly. Chaput will be available to assist with the transition process.


Release source: City of Kingston | Photo: LinkedIn