East Zorra-Tavistock restructures departments, leadership ahead of Fire Chief’s retirement
By Lee Griffi
East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) Township has announced it is taking the next step in strengthening its leadership and service delivery with a new organizational structure that brings community focused services together while creating clear leadership for the future.
“The changes follow the planned retirement of director of fire and emergency management services, Fire Chief Scott Alexander, and reflect the township’s ongoing commitment to succession planning, leadership development and organizational sustainability,” the township said in a press release.
Effective Oct. 12, the township will establish a new community and protective services department.
“(We’re) bringing together fire and emergency services, community emergency management, recreation and facilities under one department with a coordinated administrative structure,” added the release. “At the same time, the infrastructure services department will be established, overseeing roads and transportation networks, winter operations, stormwater and drainage, fleet and equipment, construction project management, parks, and capital and asset management.”
Tom Lightfoot, currently serving as director of infrastructure and community services, will lead the new department as the director of community and protective services and fire chief. Claire Ohrling, currently engineering technologist/drainage superintendent, will assume the role and responsibility of director of infrastructure services.
“This is an exciting opportunity to build on the strong foundation we have today while preparing our organization for the future,” said CAO Karen DePrest. “We have talented and experienced leaders within our organization that have demonstrated the leadership, knowledge and experience needed to lead these departments. This is a succession decision that recognizes internal talent while ensuring continuity for our residents and the services that they rely on.”
Mayor Phil Schaefer said the restructuring allows EZT to leverage talent and lay the groundwork for strong leadership now and into the future.
“On behalf of council, staff and residents I want to wish Chief Alexander all the best in his upcoming retirement, and also to offer congratulations to Tom Lightfoot and Claire Ohrling on their new positions.”
He added ratepayers will not notice anything different other that the person responding to their inquiry may be different than before.
“Residents should experience a seamless transition. While our approval was not required, council was fully informed during the planned restructuring. The process was all internal, without an outside vendor.”
Schaefer explained while determining the new structure and leadership assignments, consideration was given to the township’s existing leadership capacity, institutional knowledge, experience, demonstrated performance and the continuity required for essential municipal services.
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