The chief of the Halifax fire department is retiring from a career in public safety, just two weeks after the union for most Halifax career firefighters called for him to resign.
Chief Ken Stuebing of Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency is stepping down after eight years in the role, the Halifax municipality said in a release Wednesday. He began in October 2017.
Bill Moore, commissioner of public safety for Halifax, said he received Stuebing's notice last Friday.
"He's done a great job for the city, but he's decided that it's a good time for him to retire and go to the next chapter in his career, and I respect that," Moore told reporters Wednesday outside a police board meeting.
Stuebing said in a statement that it has been an "honour and privilege" to serve alongside hundreds of "dedicated and passionate" Halifax Fire members.
"Each day, your commitment to protecting our communities and striving to make things better has been inspiring," Stuebing said.
The union for most Halifax career firefighters recently called for Stuebing to resign following various concerns about senior leadership. (Jeorge Sadi/CBC)
The Halifax Professional Fire Fighters association has raised concerns about delayed wildfire training and staffing issues in recent months, and in mid-September called for a change in leadership.
The union said members had lost faith in Stuebing and his senior management team, citing multiple incidents of racist, misogynistic and homophobic behaviour from managers they said went unaddressed by the department. They said a pattern of retaliation against union members had also emerged.
Moore has been asked to review the union's concerns, and said Wednesday that process is underway.
Halifax is in the midst of collective bargaining with the fire union, so Moore said he must be "very careful" about what he can share about the review.
But he said he has had in-person meetings with senior fire staff and the union about a number of the issues brought forward. He has also been having conversations with Stuebing on "almost a daily occurrence," he said.
"What I've taken is a rather pragmatic approach to look at the issues, and I'll look at them in totality and I'll continue to look at those for the next little while," Moore said.
Bill Moore, commissioner of public safety for Halifax, is reviewing the concerns brought forward by the Halifax firefighters' union about senior leadership of the fire service. (CBC)
When asked how long that might take, Moore said it takes time to make sure things are done correctly and he does not want to rush the process.
"There seems to be some angst, and we need to work through that to make sure that everybody can get to a place where we can provide the best service we can to the citizens of Halifax," Moore said.
He said he will eventually send his findings to the chief administrative officer, and expects there will then be an update to council "and then probably something for the public."
Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore thanked Stuebing for his years at the fire service.
"During his tenure, Chief Stuebing led our firefighters through critical emergencies, including the 2023 Upper Tantallon and Hammonds Plains wildfire," Fillmore said in the municipal statement.
Stuebing's last day is Dec. 1. Deputy Chief Dave Meldrum has been named acting chief until the hiring process has been completed.
Moore will lead a national search to hire a new chief, the municipality said.
Stuebing served on national, international associations
Stuebing has served about 40 years in both career and volunteer fire departments across Canada, including Winnipeg and Chatham-Kent, Ont. He began his public safety career as a paramedic in 1984, eventually working as a flight paramedic in Toronto.
He also served as president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs during the COVID-19 pandemic, representing North America on a global stage, and was a director for the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia.
Stuebing is also a representative on the national advisory council with the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs.
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