Coquitlam needs a new fire chief.
The city is recruiting for the position following the departure last month of Jim Ogloff, who was appointed fire chief in 2018 to take over from Wade Pierlot.
But Ogloff isn’t going far.
He’s now the general manager of a newly created department at city hall: community safety.
In that role, Ogloff is in charge of the following public safety services:
- fire/rescue
- police
- bylaw enforcement
- business licensing
- animal services
- risk and emergency management
Ogloff, who started Jan. 2 at city hall, told the Tri-City News today, Jan. 23, that he’s been busy this month with civic staff setting up warming stations and conducting wellness checks on the homeless during the snow blast.
Ogloff’s move is a return to city hall, having started in Coquitlam’s planning department in 1997 before making his way into firefighting two years later.
Last month, at his request, city council set aside funding for 10 more firefighters — to be phased in over the next two years — to add to the 183-firefighter cohort: 150 in suppression, 13 in fire administration, eight in prevention and education, and three in training.
Coquitlam’s fire department has a $33-million annual operational budget.
“I spent 25 years as a firefighter. It’s an amazing group and I’ll still have lots of interaction with the team,” Ogloff said, “but I’ve got a great opportunity to lead in another capacity. I feel like this is a full circle.”
Coun. Craig Hodge, the vice chair of Coquitlam’s community safety advisory committee and last year’s chair, said community safety is a top priority for the city in 2024.
And having Ogloff oversee the new department bodes well for the municipality, Hodge said, calling Ogloff’s appointment “a perfect match.”
“I’m pleased that Jim is going to be leading this because he has strong administrative stills and experience on the operations side,” he said.
“He’s well connected and respected in the public safety community. He’s going to be a great addition to a strong leadership team at city hall.”
Meanwhile, deputy fire chiefs Scott Young and Shawn Davidson are acting fire chiefs while the municipality scouts for a replacement.
According to the job posting that went online last week and ends Sunday, Jan. 28, the fire chief position pays between $207,500 and $242,753 a year and requires at least three years of leadership and experience at the deputy chief level.
