Morinville Fire Chief set to retire in March

cust

– Morinville News File Photo

submitted by Town of Morinville

Morinville – Ron Cust, Morinville Fire Chief for the past 12 years, is retiring March 11, 2014, the Town of Morinville announced today. Chief Cust started with the town as a fire fighter in 1976 and progressed through various firefighting, emergency medical and fire management positions, culminating with his appointment to Fire Chief in April 2002.

Chief Cust has been in the forefront of numerous positive changes to the Morinville Fire and Rescue Department and the Town. As well as being responsible for ensuring that top quality fire services are provided to the Town, he has worked with fire suppression, rescue, inspection and emergency programs to maintain and enhance services for all citizens in Morinville and Sturgeon County. Chief Cust’s achievements include promoting a stronger business response to the Fire Department, including an expanded data base / retrieval system, standard response times, fire plan, growth of the Emergency Management program, emergency response and the Morinville Community High School Student Firefighter Training Program. He also strongly focused on training, staff development and working with staff to provide and promote safety throughout the community.

“Chief Cust has a long history of service with the Town of Morinville and has played a major role in the evolution of our Fire and Rescue Department and the protection it provides our community,” said Morinville Mayor Lisa Holmes. “On behalf of Council and myself, we wish Ron all the best in his well-earned retirement from his Fire Chief Duties.”

Chief Cust will take over responsibility for the Fire Inspections and Investigations, and is therefore still around to talk about the old glory days. “When you are a Morinville Firefighter you never leave; you just wait for the final bell to be rung,” said Chief Cust. He is looking forward to continuing his support of the charitable work the firefighters do through the Morinville Firefighters Foundation and its Alumni.

Additionally, Cust will continue his work to improve Fire and Rescue operations but from a provincial prospective. Chief Cust has accepted an extension to his daytime job as Director of Critical Projects, reporting to Alberta Fire Commissioner Trent West at the Office of the Fire Commissioner. His primary responsibility there is to develop policy around improving Fire Services and Search and Rescue, including preparation of concepts and proposals for a new Fire Act in Alberta targeted for spring 2016.

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