There is a new fire chief in town.
The District of Lantzville has named Neil Rukus as the second-ever paid part-time fire chief for Lantzville Fire Rescue.
Ronald Campbell, the district’s chief administrative officer, said Rukus started on Thursday, but had his first full day on Friday, Nov. 3.
Rukus fills the void left by Rob Chatton, who retired earlier this year after becoming the district’s first-ever paid part-time fire chief in 2016. Lantzville’s volunteer fire department had been temporarily headed by deputy fire chief John Marment, who served as acting fire chief prior to the hiring of Rukus.
Campbell said Rukus is an external hire but from Vancouver Island and has years of experience with the Qualicum Beach and North Cowichan fire departments.
“He spent 14 years in Chemainus,” Campbell said.
Campbell said Rukus has all the educational qualifications, plenty of experience and the personality that is needed to run a volunteer fire department such as Lantzville’s.
“His personality, from our perspective on the interview panel, would be a good fit for the Lantzville volunteer fire department and that he would fit in with the officers and the volunteers,” he said.