Powell River Fire Rescue will soon have a new leader.
The city is welcoming Martin Drakeley as the new fire chief. His career started in 1983 as a volunteer firefighter in Lantzville and then started his career service with Nanaimo Fire Rescue Department as a dispatcher.
Drakeley would work through the ranks to assistant fire chief until he was appointed fire chief senior manager of bylaws for North Cowichan in 2019. The city says that during that time, he was part of the task of unifying the four fire departments into a single unit.
Powell River mayor Ron Woznow says he is looking forward to working with Drakeley’s expertise and experience.
“Chief Drakeley has a lifelong commitment to protecting the communities he serves and having a positive impact,” said Woznow. “Council is excited about the insights, guidance and leadership that he will undoubtedly bring to Powell River Fire Rescue.
“We extend our warmest welcome to his family, his wife Sandra, daughter Cassidy, and son Hunter, and we look forward to building meaningful connections with them as well.”
Drakeley says his is looking forward to developing an operations leadership team for highly skilled officers so they can integrate into the decision-making processes of the department.
Outside of being a firefighter, Drakeley loves the outdoors and spending time with his seven-month-old golden retriever.
He will start in Powell River Fire Rescue on Sept. 5.
