For many years, the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) and Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) have sponsored Canada’s Fire Chief of the Year Awards.
These awards are a wonderful opportunity to recognize excellence in the fire sector. It’s a delight to hear from municipalities and it’s a general celebration for the sector.
The Awards were presented at Fire Rescue Canada 2021. We would like to thank our winners of the 2021 Fire Chief of the Year Awards below.
2021 Fire Chief of the Year Winners
Kahnawà:ke/Mohawk Territory/ First Nation/Fire Brigade
Kahnawà:ke, QB
Chief Arnold Lazare is well known and highly respected throughout the Canadian Fire and Emergency Services community. He has an outstanding level of commitment to the volunteer fire service. He has devoted over 40 years
to volunteering to improve and deliver emergency services, within his own community and for communities across Canada.
He has been a key contributor in the recent development of the Indigenous Fire Marshal Office project which has transformed into the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council, a project which is improving the
level of fire safety in communities with the greatest need. He has dedicated himself to improving the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada by serving as a Board Member, Treasurer and President.
He has worked tirelessly to improve the levels of professionalism of Aboriginal fire fighters across the country, but in particular for the Cree Nation Government in Quebec by helping to develop and implement
fire fighter training and certification programs. We are extremely proud to announce the 2021 Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year is Chief Arnold Lazare from the Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Territory First Nation Fire Brigade.
Fire Chief Arnold Lazare
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Brampton Fire and Emergency Services
Brampton, ON
Moments that define people or places are often tied to adversity and the power to overcome as a team or a community – a notion that this year’s recipient lives and breathes as he is serving a community where the biggest
threat to public safety in 2021 was not fires, but a severe pandemic, with the Canadian epicenter being in the community he serves, Brampton, Ontario.
Chief Boyes was instrumental in helping to lead his community through the pandemic, in fact, instead of delegating the responsibilities of his role as Fire Chief elsewhere to focus on Emergency Management, he embraced
the situation, forging ahead in both roles and making clear his commitment to community safety. He has served as a member of the CAFC Data Committee; as well as sitting as the Chair of the OAFC Large Urban Advisor Committee.
He has striven to innovate new solutions and embrace new technologies like conversion of fleet vehicles to electric-power to reduce the carbon footprint of his department. He partnered with Firefighters Without Borders
to donate an aerial fire truck to the Ebb & Flow First Nation community and innovated the first off-the-grid food shed to help battle food insecurity in his community.
Examples of his dedication to are too numerous to mention but one of the areas that really stands out, is his commitment to prioritizing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion across his department and community. We are extremely
proud to congratulations to the 2021 Career Fire Chief of the year is Chief Bill Boyes from Brampton Fire and Emergency Services.
Fire Chief Bill Boyes
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