City Adds Deputy Fire Chief

The City of Vernon has hired a new deputy fire chief.

Scott Hemstad will be responsible for prevention, training and logistics with Vernon Fire Rescue.

His most recent position was the deputy fire chief in Stony Plain Alberta.

Hemstad’s career has also included roles as firefighter, rescue technician, paramedic and training officer.

Pictured: Scott Hemstad, new deputy fire chief for Vernon

“Scott is well known by his colleagues as an effective fire service leader,” says Interim Chief David Lind. “He has a reputation for enthusiastically transforming systems and programs with a focus on serving the community.

Hemstad holds a certificate in Fire Service Leadership as well as many other fire services credentials. He also also holds the designation of Safety Codes Officer and fire and life safety education.

During the 2016 fires in Fort McMurray, Hemstad lead a team of firefighters in the early stages of the fire, a time when conditions were unpredictable, changing quickly and quite dangerous.

Vernon Fire Chief Keith Green has been on personal leave since last fall, but Mayor Akbal Mund expects Green will return.

“As far as I know he will be coming back. That’s all I know. That’s where it sits right now,” Mund told Kiss FM.