As Chief of Central Elgin, Jeff’s responsibilities branch from Belmont, to Yarmouth Centre, Union and Port Stanley. “What excites me is bringing the four stations together to unify the fire department, and that we have more sharing of services across the municipality. I am a big advocate for training and raising the level of professionalism that our firefighters have, facilitating opportunities to hone in on their skills and stay safe. The commonality allows the firefighters to feel part of a team.” Chief VanRybroeck reveals, “One of our goals includes prior- itizing the retention of our firefighters. We are fortunate with our recruitment, and want to make it easier to have balance between family, work and fire; to stay part of our team and have the opportunity to serve the community the way they want to – and the way we need them to.” These volunteer firefighters are on-call, 24/7. While volunteer service, these members are considered employees and must abide by government requirements and compliance components. Volunteers are expected to sign off on policies and procedures, train every week in-station to maintain their skills, earn first-aid certification and so forth. As Jeff proceeds, “Our volunteers are in this service because of their admirable desire to serve the community. We have a very strong team of firefighters here in Central Elgin, and I’m honoured to serve as their Fire Chief. The dedication they have — and their integration they’ve accomplished in the community where they connect with the people — shows a community aspect that I believe is a dying thing in the world today. These volunteers are selfless, offering their time for the sake of supporting their community.” Moreover, District Chief, Ken Rogers, delightedly offers, “The volunteer firefighters at the Port Stanley station are a dedicated
group of people who care deeply about this community. It’s an honour to work alongside them, and see the commitment they bring to training and responding when someone in our community is experiencing one of the worst days of their lives.” For those interested in joining the team, the formal process begins with resumé submission which will be followed by a physical abilities test, aptitude written test and interview process. In late August or early September, a posting which highlights the vacancy at each station is announced on their municipal website and social media. Visit Central Elgin Fire Rescue on Facebook for further details, and email firerescue@centralelgin.org with inquiries about joining, fire safety, or upcoming public events.
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Port Stanley Villager • April 2026 • Page 9
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