Prince Edward County Begins Search for New Fire Chief Following Leadership Change
Date: September 17, 2025
Prince Edward County Fire and Rescue is entering a period of transition following the departure of Fire Chief Chad Brown, who is no longer employed by the municipality. County officials confirmed the change in leadership but have not released further details regarding the decision.
To maintain operational continuity, Deputy Fire Chief Tim Kraemer has stepped into the role of Interim Fire Chief while the County prepares to launch a formal recruitment process for a permanent replacement.
Interim Leadership in Place
County administration has emphasized that emergency services will continue without interruption during the transition. Kraemer, who has been with Prince Edward County Fire and Rescue for more than a decade, brings extensive institutional knowledge to the interim role.
Kraemer began his service as a volunteer firefighter in 2009, transitioned to a career firefighter in 2013, and was appointed Deputy Fire Chief in 2020. His background includes frontline experience, operational leadership, and public communication—skills that are expected to support stability during the search process.
A Community-Focused Service
Public commentary following the announcement has highlighted the importance of strong leadership within emergency services, particularly in a county with a mix of rural, shoreline, and seasonal population pressures. Fire service leadership plays a critical role not only in emergency response, but also in training, prevention, and public trust.
While the County has stated that recruitment for a new chief will begin promptly, no timeline has yet been shared. In the meantime, Kraemer will oversee operations
alongside Acting Deputy Fire Chief Pat Howe.
Looking Ahead
Chad Brown joined Prince Edward County as Fire Chief in December 2021, bringing previous experience from Mississippi Mills and Peterborough Fire Services. As the County moves forward, officials say their focus remains on maintaining high service standards while identifying long-term leadership for Fire and Rescue.
Residents can expect further updates as the recruitment process unfolds.
Comments