Jess McDiarmid
Northern News Services
Published Friday, December 7, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Fire chief Reid Douglas will be leaving Yellowknife's fire hall after not much more than a year on the job.

The chief stepped in to an embattled department last October after the Workers Compensation Board laid safety-related charges against the former chief, a deputy chief and the city following the deaths of two firefighters killed on the job in March 2005.

Reid Douglas: Going to a new post as deputy fire chief in Winnipeg, where he began his career in 1974. -

Douglas said yesterday he's leaving with the knowledge that some things have gotten better under his watch.

The department has undergone considerable training and the wheels are in motion to get a computerized dispatch system and 911.

"I'm leaving with a little bit of satisfaction knowing that things are going to carry on in a real positive way and I'm still going to maintain my involvement with the North," said Douglas.

As vice-president of Fire Prevention Canada, Douglas said he may be back in April testing foam sprinklers designed for homes that don't have a water supply, such as Old Town and Kam Lake.

The department also just signed on a medical director to help improve its emergency medical response.

In the meantime, Douglas will go to a new post as deputy fire chief in Winnipeg, where he began his career in 1974.

He left in 2000 to serve as fire chief in North Vancouver for the next five years.

Douglas said family in Winnipeg was the determining factor in a hard decision.

"I had to think about it a lot," said Douglas.

"I really like Yellowknife. It's a terrific department, a great community ... And so much potential here to do a lot of really good things."

Mayor Gordon Van Tighem said Douglas has been personable, got along well in the community and dealt with the public well.

"Obviously, we're disappointed that he's leaving but he's got a really good opportunity," said Van Tighem.

One of the four deputy chiefs will be appointed as acting chief until a replacement is found.

The job is already advertised but there's no telling how long it will take to fill, said the mayor.

Van Tighem praised the chief for his work improving the department, particularly through training.

"It's a long road. He took us quite a long way along it."