A new face will soon be in charge at Whistler Fire Rescue Service (WFRS).
Thomas Doherty has been appointed Whistler's fire chief, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) announced in a release on Friday. Doherty will step into the role on July 18, taking over for current fire chief John McKearney, who is retiring after an 18-year career spent working in fire service in Vancouver and Whistler.
In the release, Doherty said he's looking forward to working with WFRS staff beginning next month.
"Whistler is a dynamic and diverse community that requires a similar dynamic approach to fire service delivery," he said. "The commitment to the community from all the members of WFRS is impressive and I look forward to empowering further development within the department and organization. In addition, I am very excited to join the Whistler community and the Resort Municipality of Whistler team."
Doherty comes to the resort with a lengthy resume, including his most recent position of fire chief for the City of Campbell River. There, he was responsible for leading a composite team of 34 career staff and 50 auxiliary members and overseeing a communications centre that provides fire dispatch services for 80 halls across the North Island, according to the RMOW. Doherty previously served as deputy fire chief in Campbell River, Kelowna, Big White and was also a past board member for the Fire Chiefs Association of B.C.
"Chief Doherty’s breadth of experience and knowledge will be a great benefit to WFRS and our community,” said Ted Battiston, the RMOW's general manager of corporate and community services, in the release. “We look forward to welcoming Chief Doherty to Whistler and to our team."
Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton, meanwhile, thanked outgoing fire chief McKearney, "for his deep commitment to our community and the Whistler Fire Rescue Service."
McKearney arrived in Whistler to take over the role of fire chief in November 2018, after kickstarting his career with the City of Vancouver as a floor firefighter. He gradually worked his way up the ranks, being promoted to lieutenant on the rescue squad and training officer before eventually earning the title of deputy chief and then fire chief with the City of Vancouver. Apart from those titles, McKearney's nearly two-decade career included a long list of prestigious volunteer positions and accolades. He belonged to both the Institute of Fire Engineers and the Metro Fire Chiefs Association, and also served as past director of the Fire Chiefs Association of B.C.
Additionally, he was part of the British Columbia Fire Commissioner’s Diversity Taskforce and is the current president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. He previously earned an executive chief fire officer designation though Harvard University’s Senior Fellowship Fire Executive Program.
McKearney's "professionalism and dedication to the department made him an extraordinary leader," noted Crompton in the release. "We wish him the very best.”
