Sarnia will once again have a new Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) following the departure of Dale Gartshore after just one year on the job.
A job listing, posted this week by the City of Sarnia, is seeking a full-time deputy fire chief, who will also operate as the Community Emergency Management Coordinator.
"As one of two Deputy Fire Chiefs the successful applicant will focus on Emergency Management, operating as the Community Management Coordinator, while assisting in day-to-day operations, and contributing to organizational decision making," the post states.
In August 2023, the City named Gartshore a second deputy chief with Sarnia Fire Rescue Services, integrating the CEMC duties into the role.
“We are currently recruiting for the role of Deputy Chief/CEMC,” City spokesperson Steve Henschel said in an email. “Fire Chief Jeff Weber will serve as acting CEMC during the recruitment process.”
No official announcement has been made regarding the change.
Henshel confirmed that the move was Gartshore’s choice, and that he will continue to serve as a member of Sarnia Fire Rescue.
This will mark the fourth change in the CEMC role for the City in the last year.
Ron Realesmith, who was named to the job in 2020, was deemed ‘redundant’ last summer.
His responsibilities were temporarily given to then fire chief Bryan Van Gaver until Gartshore was selected.