Fire Paramedic Chief Ken Stuebing announced today that he will be retiring from Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services.
“Having started my career in 1985, with the last four plus years as the Fire Paramedic Chief in Chatham-Kent, I felt it was time to turn the reins over to someone new,” Stuebing said a press release.
“While contemplating this difficult decision, I was honoured to be offered the Fire Chief position in Halifax, Nova Scotia.”
Although officially retiring as a firefighter and paramedic in Ontario, Stuebing said: “It was an unexpected honour but in terms of my career, it is an outstanding one and an opportunity I could not turn down.”
Stuebing came to Chatham-Kent in September of 2013 from Manitoba where he was Deputy Chief of Professional Development for the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.
Prior to that, the Kitchener native served in that city’s fire department for 20 years as a firefighter with the last six years as a captain.
Stuebing has been a paramedic since 1985 and culminated his clinical activity as a critical care flight paramedic on ‘Bandage 1’ Helicopter Air Ambulance out of the Toronto for over 12 years.
He was a founding faculty member for the Flight Academy, which expanded the air ambulance system in Ontario and was the education and certification program manager for the Hamilton Health Sciences base hospital program for three years.
Stuebing was a long standing member of the Canadian Medical Association accreditation team for primary, advanced and critical care paramedic training programs.
Looking back, Stuebing feels Chatham-Kent should be proud of the progress that has been made over the past four years, including modernizing technology and emergency response areas, implementation of an internal professional development strategy and improved safety equipment for both Fire and EMS among many others.
However, the Chief is most proud of being able to support the work of firefighters, paramedics and the dedicated support staff that work hard every day with their partners to maintain a healthy and safe community.
“I would like to thank council, the CAO, my EMT colleagues, the firefighters, paramedics and our fantastic support team for allowing me to be part of such a great team and community, it has truly been an honour,” he stated.
He said he has been happy to call Chatham-Kent home.
“This is an outstanding and friendly community with a bright future,” Stuebing said.
“I have met so many individuals who care so deeply about helping Chatham-Kent continue to reach its potential, and have been very honoured to work alongside our great First Responders who help in your time of need.”
– Photo credit: Tami Eagen
