The District of Saanich has found a new fire chief to replace the retiring Mike Burgess and it didn’t have to go very far.
Saanich announced Wednesday (Dec. 6) the appointment of Michael Kaye, who will take over on Feb. 1, 2024.
Kaye has 25 years of service, including 18 years in leadership roles. Kaye started with Saanich fire in 1998.
“With extensive experience in fire services, coupled with his proven leadership capabilities, chief Kaye is well-equipped to lead our department into the future,” said Brent Reems, Saanich’s chief administrative officer. “I am confident that he and our team of dedicated fire service professionals will not only continue to uphold the core values that underpin past successes but also drive progress to ensure that challenges are met, and opportunities are realized – all in service to the community.”
Kaye has held various positions throughout his career, including communications officer, assistant deputy chief, and most recently, deputy chief of pperations. Outside of Saanich fire, he received the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for community service and leadership and has been a long-serving board member with Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
Kaye holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Victoria, a certificate in business analysis from the University of Toronto and is certified as an executive chief fire officer through the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs.
“As a Saanich resident and a long-time member of the Saanich Fire Department, I am enthusiastic about this opportunity and look forward to continuing to serve my community in this role,” said Kaye. “Thank you to the mayor, council, and our CAO for placing their trust in me with this important role, and to my family for their endless support.”
Saanich Fire Department has 140 firefighters and staff across three stations. The department and the district recently broke ground on a new number-two fire station in Royal Oak. When completed, it will be two storeys and 23,500 square feet.
The cost of the redevelopment is an estimated $44 million and will take around 24 to 26 months of construction to complete. The station is made to last as the life expectancy of the station will be around 80 years. Delays, material costs and design changes over the past four years caused the budget for the project to nearly double, increasing from $26.6 million.
READ MORE: Saanich breaks ground on new fire station as costs skyrocket to $44M