Kelowna Fire Chief Travis Whiting to take over as Chief of Whitehorse fire department

Jan 5, 2024

After nearly seven years Kelowna Fire Chief Travis Whiting is leaving to take over as Chief of the Whitehorse Fire department.

Kelowna fire chief leaving to seek new adventures in Whitehorse.

Kelowna is searching for a new fire chief.

After nearly seven years at the helm, including leading the city through this summer’s wildfires, Travis Whiting is leaving the Okanagan to answer the call of the Yukon. He is taking over as chief of the Whitehorse Fire Department.

“I don’t know if it will be a slower pace. I’m not one who tends to be at a slow pace, but it definitely will be at a different scale,” Whiting told Castanet. “A lot of our focus on moving up there, of course, is on the lifestyle and just exploring another area.”

Fire chief John Crelly retires from Golden Valley Fire Department after 42 years

Jan 5, 2024

Fire chief John Crelly retires from Golden Valley Fire Department after 42 years.

Firefighters prepare for anything. Someone could be stuck in an elevator, suffering from cardiac arrest or trapped in a burning house. Most calls are medical, but there is a huge variety. For John Crelly, firefighting turned into a career spanning more than four decades.

Crelly joined the Golden Valley Fire Department in 1981 as a part-time paid on-call firefighter. He worked a few years for Honeywell until he was laid off in 1990. Crelly has served on the fire departments in New Hope, Maple Grove, Fridley, and Colombia Heights. About 10 years ago, he became chief of Golden Valley’s Fire Department. This year, he decided it was time to retire.

Town of Caledon hires new Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Fairbarn

Jan 5, 2024

Town of Caledon hires new deputy fire chief

Jeff Fairbarn is currently serving as chief of Adjala-Tosorontio Fire and Emergency Services.

A new deputy fire chief has been hired for the Caledon Fire and Emergency Services team.

The Town of Caledon announced that Jeff Fairbarn has been hired to the role.

Macomb Township Fire Lieutenant Ray Yonkowski retires after 30 years of service

Jan 5, 2024

On Nov. 21 during a Macomb Township Board of Trustees meeting, Macomb Township Fire Lt. Ray Yonkowski was recognized for his 30 years of service to the Macomb Township Fire Department. Yonkowski was presented with his helmet to commemorate his retirement.

E-bike fire on Toronto subway was ‘rapid and intense’

Jan 5, 2024

E-bike fire on Toronto subway was ‘rapid and intense,’ Toronto Fire says. Here’s how it erupted.
A fire engulfed a subway train in Toronto Sunday afternoon and Toronto Fire says it is due to the failure of a lithium ion battery pack used in an electric bike.

Just after 3 p.m., police were called to Sheppard-Yonge Station in North York. A video of the fire shared on social media reveals thick, black smoke billowing out of the subway doors with bright orange flames swelling inside the train. Someone shouting, “Everybody, get out, get out, get out,” can be heard at one point in the background.