The Municipality of Leamington will receive the services of one of the region's foremost authorities on fire protection.
Lakeshore Fire Chief Don Williamson has agreed to assume the interim role of chief for Leamington. Lakeshore Council approved a temporary shared-resources agreement with Leamington at its meeting Tuesday night while it finds a successor to the retired Andrew Baird.
"In the fire service, we know that cooperation is critical to our shared success," said Williamson. "This agreement is another excellent opportunity to support our neighbours in Leamington and I look forward to joining their team throughout this transition period."
Williamson will oversee Leamington fire operations, pending receipt of recommendations for the fire master plan sometime this summer. The recommendations will help guide the search for a permanent fire chief. The department's day-to-day operations will be handled by the deputy fire chief and assistant deputy fire chief.
The agreement is for four months, with an option to renew for another four months if needed.
"We are very appreciative to Lakeshore Council and to Chief Williamson for assuming the interim role of fire chief," said Leamington Mayor and Essex County Warden Hilda MacDonald. "His extensive experience and dedication to the fire service make him an excellent choice to lead our department. It’s wonderful when neighbours can work together and share services for the benefit of both communities."
Williamson has been a firefighter since 1986. He joined the Lakeshore Fire Department in 2003 as a deputy chief and was promoted to the top job two years later.
