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 2024. We would like to thank our winners of the 2024 Fire Chief of the Year Awards below.

2025 Fire Chief of the Year Winners

Larry Thomas has over 36 years of experience with the City of Surrey Fire Service, rising from career firefighter to Fire Chief in 2019. Over the years, he has served as Training Officer, suppression Captain, Deputy Fire Chief, and now as Fire Chief, leads the emergency planning and opioid crisis response for the City of Surrey.

Larry has held leadership roles at local, regional, provincial, and national levels, earning widespread respect for his commitment to public safety and support of fire service personnel. He has also completed numerous research papers that support and drive change through public safety initiatives. In addition to his service roles, Larry has contributed to the community through philanthropic work and by holding positions such as Past President of the Greater Vancouver Fire Chief’s Association, Past 2nd Vice President of the Fire Chiefs Association of BC, and current Chair of the CAFC Interoperability Committee.

Chief Larry Thomas
Surrey Fire
Surrey, BC

Wayne Power, the volunteer Fire Chief for the Town of Placentia, is a deserving nominee for Canada’s Fire Chief of the Year. With 53 years of dedicated service, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and a forward-thinking approach to public safety. Under his guidance, the department has introduced advanced training programs that ensure every volunteer is well-prepared with up-to-date skills and knowledge for effective emergency response.

Chief Power has also led impactful community outreach efforts, promoting fire prevention and safety education among residents. His success in securing funding for cutting-edge equipment has significantly improved the department’s operational capabilities. Moreover, his commitment to collaboration has strengthened partnerships with neighboring communities, enhancing regional preparedness and response.

Fire Chief Wayne Power
Placentia Volunteer Fire Department
Placentia, NL