Del Blakney to be New Fire Chief in South Frontenac Township

South Frontenac Township is starting out the new year with a new Fire Chief.

Del Blakney will be joining South Frontenac Fire and Rescue as the new Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief starting January 8, 2024.

Del has more than 30 years of experience with Kingston Fire and Rescue and has been a volunteer firefighter with South Frontenac Fire and Rescue for the past five years. Del has a Fire Prevention Officer Diploma from the Ontario Fire College and is a certified Company Officer, Training Officer, Firefighter, Public Information Officer, Public Educator, and Fire Investigator. He has certifications and experience in the Ontario Building Code, fire prevention, training, suppression techniques, hazardous material response and rescue operations and has extensive management experience in both the private and public sectors.

He has been active at the provincial level, serving as Director for the Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association for the past four years, working with the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management, Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, Health Canada and over 230-member Fire Departments across Ontario to evaluate and direct the delivery of fire protection services in the province.

“Del is a strong leader who is well-respected within the fire services community in the region and in the province. His deep knowledge, experience, and success at developing effective working relationships with multiple stakeholders will continue to make South Frontenac Fire and Rescue a leader in fire services,” says Mayor Ron Vandewal.

“We had several excellent internal and external candidates but were very lucky to have someone like Del with his vast expertise and knowledge within our own organization to become our new Fire Chief”, says Louise Fragnito, Chief Administrative Officer. “I think it speaks to the talent of the people we have here in South Frontenac.”