Luis Gomes is stepping up as the new fire chief for Puslinch.
On Aug. 9, councillors here appointed Gomes as fire chief of the Puslinch Fire and Rescue Service.
Gomes replaces former Fire Chief Steven Goode who, earlier this year, accepted a position in the City of Guelph as deputy chief of operations.
Mayor Dennis Lever said he was pleased to bring this bylaw forward.
Lever invited Gomes to the front of the council chambers for the official appointment.
“Welcome to your first interrogation,” the mayor said.
“It gives me great pleasure to see you here today as our new fire chief.”
Councillor Ken Roth was pleased Gomes applied for the position.
“I’m look forward to working with you,” he said.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer also offered congratulations.
“It’s hard to keep a secret in this community … I’ve been congratulated several times (already) on council’s selection of such a great fire chief,” he said, adding, “It isn’t often that people come up and tell us what a great job we are doing. It comes down to staff rising above the rest.”
Councillor Susan Fielding commented she was sad when she heard former fire chief Goode was leaving.
“At the same time, I was hoping that Luis would apply … he’d be the perfect person for the position,” she said.
She added that Goode and Gomes worked well together, “and I think you are very attuned to how our fire department works … and its inner workings.”
Fielding also said she believed Gomes had the support of the local firefighters.
“I think that is really important for morale, and it will make council’s job much easier,” she said.
Councillor John Sepulis was pleased on the selection and said “welcome to the hot seat.”
Gomes stated, “I had a great mentor (in Goode). Steve was really great as leader and I was lucky to have him.”
Gomes added his congratulation to Goode on his new post.
Lever said he was pleased that Gomes was involved in the development of the township’s fire master plan.
In March 2016, Gomes was chosen as deputy fire chief of operations.
Gomes has served Puslinch for over seven years and also serves as a platoon training officer and acting captain with the Cambridge Fire Department.
