The Chief of the Petawawa Fire Department is getting ready to retire after a career that spanned over four and a half decades. Petawawa Fire Chief Steve Knott is the only person who served on all three fire departments in the community including the former Township, Village and now the Town of Petawawa Fire Department.
Knott also served 36-years at Garrison Petawawa with the National Defense Fire Service, spending 18-years as Platoon Chief.
In his time as chief, there has been no serious injuries of firefighters or fire related fatalities in Petawawa.
In a report to council, Deputy Chief Craig Proulx highlighted some of the major accomplishments of Chief Knott:
- Started his career as a firefighter with the Petawawa Village Fire department in 1975.
- Promoted to Captain Petawawa Village Fire Department 1982.
- Moved to Petawawa Township and joined as a Firefighter 1988.
- Promoted to Township Fire Chief in 1996.
- After amalgamation he became Deputy Chief of the Town of Petawawa Fire Department in 1997.
- Appointed to Fire Chief Town of Petawawa in June of 2005.
The long-time Fire Chief in Petawawa tells myFM his interest in firefighting started at a young age following a fire safety presentation in elementary school.
Petawawa Fire Chief Steve Knott will officially retire as of June 30th, 2022.
In his retirement Knott hopes to travel more, work on his golf game and spend more time with his family including his five grandchildren.
A replacement for the Fire Chief in Petawawa has not yet been announced.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)