The Kamloops Fire Chief will be taking on more responsibility as part of a corporate shake-up at City Hall.

Ken Uzeloc will take over as the new head of the newly formed Protective Services Department in November, focusing on addressing the safety and security side of Council’s Strategic plan.

“For me, it’s a big opportunity and I think a vote of confidence from the CEO and the directors, as well as council for this opportunity to take on a more strategic role with the organization under this new portfolio of protective services.”

Uzeloc will still maintain his role as Fire Chief with the promotion, something which he says is quite common in municipalities across Canada.

“Fire budgets are generally very large, but it is also a key component of safety and security in the municipalities so in places like Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver, the fire chiefs are general managers in some of those locations and report to that senior leadership table, reporting to the city manager or CAO.”

Uzeloc goes on to say there are also some smaller communities, like the City of Red Deer, Alberta, which has a very similar model to what Kamloops has been eyeing.

“The Fire Chief (in Red Deer) is also a Director of Protective Services in a very similar role with RCMP contract support by law enforcement, emergency management, and the fire department,” he explained.

“In Red Deer, the fire department also runs the ambulance service, so there’s also that medical aspect to that portfolio, but it’s a very similar sized municipality and what CAO David Trawin has done, a similar portfolio.

He says his first priority as the director of the newly established Protective Services Department will be getting caught up on all the initiatives underway.

“Looking at where we need to go and what is in progress right now and then working towards an end goal. We also are also in the midst of preparing things for next year’s budget, so those factors will be top priority as well.”

As part of the corporate reshuffle that was announced during the Oct. 17 council meeting, Byron McCorkell, currently the Community and Protective Services Director, was promoted to Deputy CAO.