Former Gibsons fire chief Bob Stevens handed over the torch to Roberts Creek fire chief Rob Michael at the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) community services committee meeting on July 16.
The SCRD board presented Stevens with a plaque thanking him for his “35 years of outstanding service and dedication to the Gibsons and District Volunteer Fire Department.”
“I just have to get used to not working for awhile. I’m sure I’m going to get bored soon enough and look for something else, but no immediate plans,” Stevens said. “I’ve got the summer to think about it while I enjoy the good weather.”
Michael is thrilled to be taking the reins in Gibsons. At 32 he is fairly young to be in command of a fire station, but Michael started young. He has been the Roberts Creek fire chief for almost two and a half years and spent 11 years in the department prior to that.
“I started in the fire service when I was 18 and I quickly had a passion for it. So I ran along that path,” Michael said.
“I think that, with the dedication and the experience that I showed with Roberts Creek, I was a natural fit,” Michael continued. “Someone local, someone who understood the local government as well.”
Stevens agreed that choosing someone local was important.
“Fortunately we found someone local who could fill the boots and take on the job. It makes the transition a lot smoother,” Stevens said.
Michael recently completed his fire officer certificate, which he called a big undertaking for a volunteer.
“I hope the best for my former department and I know that it’s left in good hands with Pat Higgins taking the role in the interim until a permanent solution is sorted out there,” Michael said.
Michael was set to officially take over in Gibsons on July 24.
