Vegreville Welcomes Fire Chief and Health and Safety Officer Mitch Newton

Vegreville Welcomes Fire Chief and Health and Safety Officer Mitch Newton

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Mitch Newton came from Leduc County and moved to Vegreville on December 5 where he began working as the new Fire Chief and Health and Safety Officer for Vegreville Fire Department on the exact same day.

“I worked for the Town of Millet before I came here where I was the Manager of Enforcement and Safety Services.

I like living in Vegreville now. It seems to have a very small town feel to it and there are all the great amenities here which is appealing to me. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to meet with any of the residents yet but my staff have been phenomenal.”

When asked what made him want to get involved with a career in the fire department, he said, “I started when I was 17-years-old when I wanted to be a police officer at the time. But I always had a vision to help people. So, the person that I was training to be a police officer with recommended me to join the fire department as a junior firefighter at the time and I continued on with it for 18 years as I loved the fire service.

I love it as it is never the same thing. You can walk into any fire hall in the world and be welcomed into that fire hall. Then everything comes with a challenge and I am up to any challenge that is presented towards me. I think the biggest challenge I will be facing right now is recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters, and that is in every fire service around the world right now. As a team, we will face that challenge together in the New Year.”

Newton said the team he is working with are doing a great job and plan to continue providing services to the community and striving to be the best they can be.

According to a Dec. 8 news release issued by the Town of Vegreville, Newton brings a wealth of experience to the position thanks to a 22 year career in emergency, fire, and law enforcement sectors. Most notably, Newton has served as the Manager of Protective Services for Lac La Biche County, a position tasked with overseeing 77 volunteer firefighters, four full-time staff, and five district fire halls.

New Fire Chief and Health and Safety Officer for Vegreville Fire Department Mitch Newton.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Newton’s hiring rounds out the creation of the Town of Vegreville’s new Protective Services Department, managed by Allan Weiss who was hired for the role last month. Weiss’ municipal experience spans 40 years in the fire, paramedic, and municipal bylaw enforcement services.

Prior to joining the Town, he served as the CAO/Regional Emergency Manager & Director of Emergency Management for the Beaver Emergency Services Commission.”

Under Weiss, the Town of Vegreville’s Protective Services Department will include management and administration of the operations of the Fire Hall, Peace Officers, Occupational Health and Safety and liaising with the Vegreville RCMP detachment.