Red Deer's Ken McMullen named Career Fire Chief of the Year

The City of Red Deer is proud to have the 2020 Career Fire Chief of the Year in their employment.

Ken McMullen has been the Chief of Emergency Services in that city of about two and half years now and was recently honoured by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs in a virtual ceremony back on September 14th, 2020.

Picked out of 40 nominees, McMullen says this is actually the first they've announced all the nominees instead of just the winner.

“Some of my greatest mentors and friends are on that list, and just to be included in their company in itself would have been an absolute award. To be named with them and then to ultimately be chosen as the Fire chief of the Year, I’m almost lost for words.”

Starting out his career as a volunteer firefighter in the community of Irricana in 1997, McMullen has held prominent positions in fire prevention and management across the province,

 As a member of Canada Task Force 2, Ken is often called upon in natural disasters, including the Slave Lake Fire in 2010, the Calgary and High River Floods in 2013, and as the Task Force Commander during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016.

He says the work he's done with mental health for first responders is what he's most proud of during his time in Red Deer.

“I continue to advocate for research, development, and programs to be implemented to ensure that the well-being of those that are out giving their ultimate heart and soul to this job every single day, have the tools in place to ensure that at the end of the shift, they are as mentally fit and safe as they are physically fit and safe.

McMullen has also played a pivotal role in the City's emergency operations during the pandemic response and recovery operations.