Deputy Fire Marshal, Field Advisory Services, Office of the Fire Marshal

Odgers Berndtson; Midhurst; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A provincial authority in Ontario is seeking a Deputy Fire Marshal to lead fire protection and prevention efforts across the province. This role requires strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of fire safety legislation, and the ability to oversee complex operations. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in fire services and strategic planning. This position offers a unique opportunity to enhance community safety in Ontario.

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of Ontario fire protection legislation.
• Senior leadership experience in fire services is essential.
• Demonstrated expertise in stakeholder engagement and fiscal oversight.

Responsibilities

• Oversee delivery of fire protection and prevention programs.
• Provide oversight in the absence of the Fire Marshal.
• Lead quality assurance and risk management initiatives.

Skills

Leadership in fire services

Strategic planning

Policy development

Risk management

Education

Degree in public administration or fire science

Job description

Overview

The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) provides strategic leadership in advancing fire safety across Ontario, reducing the risks and impacts of fires and related hazards on people, property, and the environment. As the provincial authority, the OFM administers critical legislation including the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA), the Ontario Fire Code, and associated regulations. Led by the Fire Marshal and three Deputy Fire Marshals, the OFM’s broad mandate covers, community risk assessments, fire safety in vulnerable occupancies, the Fire Marshal Review process, emergency fire service systems, fire investigations, statistical reporting, applied research, and the delivery of firefighter training and certification programs.

The OFM is seeking a highly accomplished and strategic leader to serve as Deputy Fire Marshal, Field Advisory Services. Legislated under the FPPA, this pivotal executive role assumes full authority in the absence of the Fire Marshal and provides oversight for the delivery of fire protection, prevention, education, and enforcement programs across Ontario. The Deputy Fire Marshal, Field Advisory Services oversees the Northern Fire Protection Program, leads quality assurance and risk management, and provides support to emergency response, including the Provincial Mutual Aid System. The role also plays a central part in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and modernizing fire protection services across the province.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep knowledge of Ontario’s fire protection legislation, particularly the FPPA and the Ontario Fire Code, supported by a strong academic foundation in public administration, fire science, or a related discipline. Senior leadership experience in fire services is essential, along with relevant professional certifications. The role requires a proven ability to lead complex operations with political acuity, as well as demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, policy development, change management, stakeholder engagement, risk management, fiscal oversight, and labour relations.

This position requires an Order in Council appointment under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997. It presents an exceptional opportunity for an experienced leader to play a defining role in safeguarding Ontario communities and advancing the province’s fire protection and emergency response systems.

We thank all those who express an interest, however only those chosen for further development will be contacted.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers and Ontario Office of the Fire Marshalthroughout the recruitment, selection and / or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Odgers is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our