Canadian Association Of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) Announces The Appointment Of John McKearney As New President And Other Board Members

The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs’ is honored to announce that Whistler Fire Chief John McKearney has been appointed as the President of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC), effective immediately. He will serve the remainder of past CAFC President, Chief Ken Block’s term. Chief Block stepped down in order to accept the role of Fire Commissioner in the state of Victoria, Australia.

“I’m honored to have been appointed by my colleagues and to serve in this capacity,” said Fire Chief McKearney, adding “I am committed to a seamless transition that allows our committees, staff and members, to continue working on the important national priorities that we face, from mental health, to climate emergencies, to building codes, dangerous goods and others.”

Veteran in the Canadian fire service

John McKearney is a long-standing and well-known member of the fire service in Canada

John McKearney is a long-standing and well-known member of the fire service in Canada. Currently the Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Services for the Whistler Fire Rescue Service (WFRS), he was previously the Chief of Vancouver’s Fire and Rescue Services, where he had also served a total of 37 years in various capacities. He has served several terms on the CAFC Board.

McKearney also holds a Masters’ Degree in Leadership from Royal Roads University and completed the Senior Fellowship Fire Executive program at Harvard University through the US Fire Administration.

New appointees to CAFC Board

Supporting the transition, the CAFC Board also appointed Chief Ken McMullen of City of Red Deer as Vice President and Chief Keri Martens of Canmore Fire - Rescue Services as Secretary. Maintaining current elected roles on the CAFC Board of Directors are Chief Daniel Perron, Treasurer, Chief Dan McCoy and Chief Vince MacKenzie, Directors at Large, and Chief Peter Krich, ex officio as the Chair of the CAFC’s National Advisory Council.

Chief Jason Whiteley and Dean Colthorp who Co-Chair the Nominations and Bylaws Committee and oversaw the transition noted, “We are honored to have Chief McKearney in this role and also to see a highly functioning board that is so united and committed to the fire sector and to our members. And while we will miss Chief Block, we are also honored that one of our own has been sought out internationally.”