Kris Olsen. (submitted photo/City of Prince Albert)

By Ronald Quaroni

Fire Chief Appointed

Kris Olsen named Prince Albert’s new fire chief

Oct 7, 2019 | 12:22 PM

After more than one year of the position going unfilled, the city of Prince Albert has appointed a new fire chief.

Kris Olsen, who has worked as the acting fire chief since June, officially assumed the role on Monday.

“I was honoured that the City of Prince Albert had the faith in me to lead this great department,” Kris Olsen told paNOW. “I appreciate the opportunity… to represent the men and women in the fire service and to provide upstanding service to the citizens of P.A and continue to provide excellent customer service.”

Olsen is no stranger to the department.

He began his firefighting career in 1995 as an alarm room operator at the Prince Albert Fire Department. Since then, Olsen rose through the ranks as an active firefighter eventually becoming a captain in 2007. In 2016 he was named a battalion chief.

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He expressed all his years spent in the department helped prepare him for his current role.

“I honestly believe it was a definite asset. I got to learn the individual quirks, strengths and weaknesses but also the nuances and inner-workings of the department,” Olsen said.

Having worked in a functional role as the department’s top firefighter, Olsen’s duties won’t change drastically with his new appointment.

“It basically allowed me to get my feet wet a little bit, to see what was required of me, what the position entailed and it definitely gave that insight as to whether it was something I wanted to pursue or if I was even ready or able to move into that position,” Olsen said.

“Kris has done an amazing job as acting fire chief and his knowledge, work ethic and professional demeanor will enable him to do an excellent job as fire chief,” City Manager Jim Toye wrote.

Olsen assumes the position after it was left vacant following former Fire Chief Jason Everitt’s departure to assume the director of protective services role in Melfort, which included the role of fire chief.

Everitt praised the appointment.

“Olsen has been an outstanding member of the department for many years and is well poised for this new role. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and know that he will represent the department and city admirably as he leads the organization into the future,” Everitt wrote to paNOW.

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Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni