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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPUB-015-25Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: Council Date of Meeting: September 22, 2025 Report Number: PUB-015-25 Authored By: Lee-Ann Reck Submitted By: Lee-Ann Reck, Deputy CAO, Public Services Reviewed By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO By-law Number: Resolution Number: File Number: Report Subject: Appointment of Interim Fire Chief Recommendation(s): 1.That Report PUB-015-25, be received; 2.That Council approve the Appointment of Mariano Perini to the position of Interim Fire Chief for up to 24 months 3.That the By-Law (Attachment 1) be approved to complete the appointment of the Director of Emergency Fire Services/Fire Chief 4.That all interested parties listed in Report PUB-015-25, and any delegations be advised of Council’s decision. 2025-048 C-015-25 Municipality of Clarington Page 2 Report PUB-015-25 Report Overview This report recommends the appointment of Mariano Perini as Interim Fire Chief for a period of up to 24 months, following the retirement of current Fire Chief Dave Speed at the end of September 2025. Due to the limited time available for recruitment, the interim appointment will allow for uninterrupted leadership and the piloting of a dual-role model, combining the Director of Public Works and Fire Chief positions. This approach supports succession planning, revitalization of the Volunteer Fire Service, and completion of the Fire Master Plan update. Financial arrangements ensure funding remains in place for the role, with interim salary savings directed to priority initiatives. 1. Background 1.1 Current Fire Chief, Dave Speed announced his retirement in late August, with his final day of work being Friday September 26, 2025 1.2 The Fire Chief role is a statutory position as identified under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA) and requires council approval. 2. Considerations of Interim Appointment 2.1 The average recruitment time for a Fire Chief is minimum a three-to-four-month process. 2.2 Clarington’s fire chief position is vacant at the end of September, not giving adequate time to complete a full recruitment. As a result, staff are recommending as a pilot, to appoint Mariano Perini into a dual role of Director of Public Works and Fire Chief for a period of up to 24 months. 2.3 The pilot program will provide an opportunity to pilot a leadership model that supports succession planning in our Emergency and Fire Services Department, leveraging Mariano’s previous experience and strength to revitalize our Volunteer Fire Service and complete an update to the Fire Master Plan. 2.4 The 24-month pilot period will allow sufficient time to complete the identified priorities and will align with the anticipated completion of the Clarington Operations Depot and Emergency Fire Station (CODEFS) project. The timing positions the incoming permanent Fire Chief to assume the role in time for the official opening and ribbon - cutting ceremony of the new fire station and training facility. Municipality of Clarington Page 3 Report PUB-015-25 3. Financial Considerations The funding for the Director of Emergency Services and Fire Chief position will remain allocated within the divisional budget. This approach ensures the position can be reinstated as a full-time role following the pilot period. In the interim, any salary savings will be redirected to support key initiatives, including the revitalization of the volunteer firefighter program and the update of the Fire Master Plan. 4. Strategic Plan Lead – Exceptional Municipal Services and Governance empower staff to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness. 5. Climate Change Not Applicable. 6. Concurrence Not Applicable. 7. Conclusion It is respectfully recommended that Council endorse the interim appointment of Mariano Perini to Fire Chief for a period of up to 24 months. Staff Contact: Lee-Ann Reck, Deputy CAO, Public Services, lreck@clarington.net Attachments: Attachment 1: By-Law to appoint Chief September 2025 Not Applicable Interested Parties: There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision. If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington By-law 2025-048 Being a by-law to appoint a Director of Emergency and Fire Services/Fire Chief for the Municipality of Clarington, and to repeal By-law 2023-017 which appointed David Speed. Whereas Section 6(1) of the Ontario Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, as amended, requires the appointment of a fire chief if a fire department is established for the municipality; and Whereas the Municipality of Clarington has an established fire department; and Whereas Whereas PUB-015-25 recommends that it is expedient and necessary to appoint Mariano Perini as the Fire Chief; Now therefore the Council of the Municipality of Clarington enacts as follows: 1. That Mariano Perini be appointed as Director of Emergency and Fire Services/Fire Chief for the Municipality of Clarington for up to 24 months. 2. That By-law 2023-017 be repealed. Passed in Open Council this 22nd day of September, 2025. _____________________________________ Adrian Foster, Mayor _____________________________________ June Gallagher, Municipal Clerk By signing this by-law on September 22, 2025, Mayor Adrian Foster will not exercise the power to veto this by-law and this by-law is deemed passed as of this date.