Long-time Pitt Meadows firefighter Mike Larsson was recently appointed assistant chief of the city department.
An integral member of the department since 2003, Larsson had been acting in the vacant position since October 2015 and was chosen for the role with Pitt Meadows Fire and Rescue Service after a comprehensive Canada-wide competition.
Larsson initially joined the department as a paid-on-call firefighter, and has since served as a paid-on-call captain, and career fire safety technician.
As assistant chief, he has been assigned major responsibility for firefighter training, occupational health and safety and department emergency planning. He will also work closely with fellow Assistant Chief Brad Perrie in direct oversight of the paid-on-call firefighters and officers, as well as career fire safety technicians.
“Mike is an advocate of personal growth and had spent a great deal of personal time and money educating and preparing himself for this opportunity. He definitely earned this position and I’m very excited to have him as part of the team,” said Pitt Meadows fire chief Don Jolley.
“He brings a wide breadth of fire service and corporate management experience to the position. He is well respected by every member of the department for his firefighting skills and his professionalism. He has helped build the relationship between the Pitt Meadows Fire and Rescue Service and Pitt Meadows Secondary School, including the Becky Dyer Fund, the dry grad and the Youth Firefighter Academy, within which he has long been an instructor and mentor.”
Larsson officially assumed the role in May 2016.
“On behalf of the city, I am pleased to see Mike take on this role within our fire department,” said City CAO Mark Roberts.
“Mike is fully committed to the service delivery model endorsed by city council and has always been deeply involved with the department in supporting local community groups and charities. We look forward to his continued service to the community.”