St. Marys fire chief bids farewell after nine years

St. Marys fire chief Richard “Andy” Anderson has announced he is leaving his post as of May 19 after taking a job as deputy fire chief with the City of Stratford.

By St. Marys Independent Staff

It is with heavy heart and much consideration that Richard “Andy” Anderson has decided to leave his position as the director of emergency services/fire chief after serving more than nine years of dedicated service to the Town of St. Marys.

His last day with the Town of St. Marys is May 19. He is taking the position of deputy fire chief/VCEMC with the City of Stratford effective May 20.

Anderson has been with the town since 2016 and he was hired with a mandate of modernizing the fire department. In his time here, he has navigated new legislation requiring the uptraining of all the town’s firefighters, he helped construct the town’s state-of-the-art fire hall and he has administered the replacement of aging equipment to ensure volunteer firefighters are safe and can provide the absolute best service to the public.

Not to be outdone by anyone, in the town’s emergency management program, Anderson developed and oversaw large-scale, live-action emergency exercises that have far exceeded anything that anyone in the area has experienced before.

In his time with St. Marys, Anderson has truly taken what was a very good, small-town fire department and transitioned it into a professional and modern service that should be the envy of many.

“My goal as fire chief was to make the department better and I believe I have achieved that,” Anderson said. “For me, that means that we make sure the staff is trained, equipped and ready to respond to any emergency that gets called in. It also means that they go home safe at the end of every response.

“I have enjoyed my time working with the Town of St. Marys and appreciated the opportunities and experiences that I have gained during my tenure, said Anderson. “The Town of St. Marys welcomed my wife, Amber, with open arms and it will always be treasured. I am now looking forward to working with the fine men and women of the Stratford Fire Department and to build upon the solid foundation that is well established.”

Upon his departure, Anderson acknowledges the following people:

To the Town of St. Marys:

“Thank you to the mayor, council and staff for placing their trust in me over the last nine years to lead the men of the St. Marys Fire Department. Your trust allows the firefighters to provide the highest level of safety and protection to our residents.”

To the community:

“Thank you for your unwavering support for the department through fundraising events or day-to-day business. It is greatly appreciated.”

To the families of our firefighters:

“Thank you for your understanding and support as our firefighters often put their own lives on the line to help others.”

To the St. Marys Fire Department (SMFD):

“I am incredibly proud to have been your fire chief and to lead such a dedicated and skilled team. Your bravery, resilience and commitment to serving others are truly inspiring. Being a part of the SMFD renewed my faith in the fire service, how you unselfishly give of yourselves, day in and day out, to keep this town safe.

“I am confident that the department will be left in the hands of good leadership and will continue to move the St. Marys Fire Department in the right direction,” Anderson said.

St. Marys deputy fire chief Phil West will be the acting fire chief until such time a permanent fire chief can be hired. He can be reached at pwest@town.stmarys.on.ca or 519-868-6153.