The Owen Sound city council will be receiving a report on Monday concerning the recruitment and hiring of a new Fire Chief. Phil Eagleson will begin the role as Fire Chief with the City of Owen Sound on November 22, 2021.

From the staff report: "A comprehensive, Canadian-wide recruitment process was undertaken to identify interested and qualified candidates. The position was advertised  both internally and in the specific internet sites for Canadian Association of  Fire Chiefs, Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, Indeed, Owen Sound Sun  Times, City Website and Social Media platforms.

A selection committee consisting of Tim Simmonds, City Manager, Melissa  Clancy, Human Resources Manager, and four Council appointed members:
Mayor Boddy, Deputy Mayor O’Leary, Councillor Koepke, and Councillor  Thomas. The Committee met to short-list candidates and conducted  interviews with four candidates. The selection process for the position of Fire  Chief has been thorough, open, fair and objective."

"No costs were associated with the recruitment process. Undertaking the Fire Chief Recruitment Process in-house has realized a cost-avoidance of  $20,000-$40,000 as the alternative would have been to hire a professional  recruitment service."

In 2015 Chief Doug Barfoot, a local firefighter for 41 years, came out of retirement to take over as Chief of Owen Sound Fire & Emergency Services.  He announced in July this year that he would retire when his replacement was found.

source: Staff report CR-21-105