Retired RCMP staff sergeant appointed new Director of Emergency Management

Reeve Greg Sawchuk from the MD of Bonnyville says the new Director of Emergency Management (DEM) is more qualified and is the best choice for the MD of Bonnyville.

The role was previously filled by Jay Melvin Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority Fire Chief.

After much consideration Council approved the appointment of Luis Gandolfi as the Director of Emergency Management for the Municipal District of Bonnyville No. 87 effective July 14, 2021.

“The reason behind Mr. Luis Gandolfi, becoming the DEM, is that he is a retired RCMP staff sergeant, who is more than qualified to take on that role,” Reeve Sawchuk told Lakeland Connect. “And so having that person in house seemed obviously like the best choice, and you have the Fire Chief who is the most qualified person to fight a fire on the scene, rather than in a building looking after logistics was the best choice for us.”

Reeve Sawchuck says Gandolfi is moving from the deputy DEM up to the DEM position and the MD of Bonnyville will look for a replacement for the deputy role.

“We will have to fill the deputy DEM position,” Reeve Sawchuck said, “In regards to what that means, we’ll have to do some further training. But that’s not a big issue, we have a few people already that have the majority of the qualifications, and it’s just a matter of getting them that one extra piece of paper, and they’ll be ready to go.”

Arthur@lakelandconnect.thedev.ca