91原创 City has a new fire chief.

The white helmet was passed, both literally and figuratively, on Friday afternoon at the 91原创 City firehall, when Chief Rory Thompson was installed during a brief ceremony. At the same time, acting chief Jim McIntee stepped away from the post he鈥檚 held for the past six months and into a life of retirement on the north coast of Vancouver Island.

Thompson, who has 24 years experience as a firefighter on Vancouver Island, came to 91原创 City from the Justice Institute鈥檚 Maple Ridge campus, where he has served as program director of professional programs since 2005.

Introducing a theme of family, which wove its way through the ceremony, Mayor Peter Fassbender welcomed Thompson and his wife, to 鈥渙ur family.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 an important job and responsibility to lead this team,鈥� he said.

Referring to the recent death of firefighter Ron Dunkley, Fassbender said: 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when families really come together and support each other. It reinforces how important being part of a community is.鈥�

City CAO Francis Cheung said the City was fortunate to have 鈥渓ured鈥� Thompson from the J.I.

He told the gathering, which included City council members, RCMP Supt. Derek Cooke, City and Township firefighters and members of Abbotsford鈥檚 and Mission鈥檚 fire departments, that the recruitment process had been 鈥渞igorous and thorough鈥� to ensure they found someone who fits into the organization.

Perhaps it鈥檚 because the City is small, that it is particularly close knit, he said.

鈥淥n behalf of staff . . . welcome to the family.鈥�

From fighting fires to participating in the annual Community Days celebration, teamwork is key at the City鈥檚 fire department said Assistant Chief Pete Methot.

鈥淩egardless of where we work, we work as a community,鈥� Methot told Thompson.

鈥淵ou haven鈥檛 experienced anything until you鈥檝e buttered hundreds of hamburger and hotdog buns.鈥�

For his part, Thompson said, he was 鈥渜uite honestly, thrilled鈥� to be offered the position.

鈥淓mergency service personnel share the trait of wanting to serve the community,鈥� said the new chief. He told the gathering he looks forward to playing a key role in helping 91原创 City live up to its motto as the Place to Be.

Thompson also took a moment to acknowledge his predecessor, joking about how anxious McIntee must be to embark on the next phase of his life 鈥� as a fisherman.

鈥淎s I鈥檓 coming in the front door, Jim is scampering out the back. I think, if you鈥檙e quiet, you can hear his truck running.鈥�

Each of the other speakers also took a moment bid farewell to McIntee, thanking him for his service and wishing him the best in his retirement in Port McNeil.

In McIntee鈥檚 two years with the City fire department, he made a tremendous contribution to the City, said Cheung.

鈥淔or six months you wore two hats, dealing with some challenging issues and came through with flying colours.鈥�