Tuesday was the official swearing-in of Mark VanWerkhoven as Grande Prairie’s new Fire Chief.

With over 25 years of exemplary service in public safety, Chief VanWerkhoven is ready to steer Grande Prairie’s fire operations with his expertise and dedicated leadership.

Starting his illustrious career in 1996 with the Canadian Armed Forces, Mark served with distinction until 2019, both actively and as a reservist. He further honed his skills as an EMS District Manager, later joining the STARS air ambulance service in 2006, where he played a pivotal role until 2021. Most recently, Mark served as Deputy Chief of Communications for the City, managing GP911 with excellence.

Mark's career is distinguished by his deep involvement in air and ground emergency medical services, 911 operations, and rural firefighting efforts, providing him with a well-rounded perspective on public safety. Despite his wide-ranging experience, Mark's heart and dedication remain with the Grande Prairie community, where his roots run deep.

Chief VanWerkhoven steps into the role, succeeding Fire Chief Bossen. 

The city is excited about the positive impact and the continued protection and safety his leadership will bring to our community and beyond.

Information provided by the Grande Prairie Fire Department Facebook page

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