Richard Hayes has recently taken on a new role in Halifax, Nova Scotia, as assistant fire chief, following a distinguished tenure as Deputy Fire Chief for the London Fire Department, where he led a team of 336 firefighters across 14 stations. With over 30 years of experience in the fire service, Richard has also served as Fire Chief in Muskoka Lakes and as Deputy Chief in Tillsonburg. His commitment to training and personnel development is evident through his wide range of certifications, including Emergency Medical Responder, Fire Service Instructor, and Crisis Intervention. As a consultant with EMG, Richard has led master fire planning initiatives and conducted CAD system reviews for multiple municipalities. He combines operational expertise with a focus on safety, innovation, and community service.