Sarnia to welcome James Kostuk as Deputy Fire Chief, CEMC

January 9, 2025 - James Kostuk will join Sarnia Fire Rescue as a new Deputy Fire Chief, serving as the City's Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) and bringing 25 years of experience in emergency response to the role.

"Looking at James' experience, I was immediately struck by the breadth of his knowledge and leadership as it relates not just to the fire service, but to fire prevention and emergency management. His expertise will be invaluable in ensuring community emergency management systems are maintained and improved. As a fire fighter he understands the ground-level functions of emergency response, and as a fire service leader he has demonstrated his insight as it relates to how response ties into the larger landscape of emergency management," said Fire Chief Jeff Weber.

Kostuk most recently served as the Deputy Fire Chief in Airdrie, focussing there on Fire Prevention. He brings with him more than 25 years of experience in fire and emergency response, alongside extensive qualifications in emergency management. Kostuk's primary role as one of two deputy chiefs for Sarnia Fire Rescue will be to review and update the community's emergency preparedness as CEMC, ensuring that robust and redundant plans are in place to respond to emergencies; educate and notify residents of potential hazards; mitigate or reduce the impacts on the larger community; and build resilience and recovery capability within the community.

"I'm excited to join the Sarnia Fire Rescue team and get to work as CEMC, building relationships with local partners and improving our community emergency plans through cooperation with local emergency response, industry, and our partner municipalities," said Kostuk.

Kostuk will start the role on March 3, 2025.