Our fire command staff
Brian Hutchinson, Fire Chief
Brian was appointed fire chief in January, 2018. He leads 130 members and oversees an operating budget of more than $20 million dollars.
Early career
Brian began his fire career in 1990, spending several years working on initial attack crews in the wildland setting. In 2000, he began his municipal career, joining Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services (VFRS) as a firefighter, and working his way up to captain. His final assignment with VFRS was within the emergency management division.
Work with the DNVFRS
Brian began his service with DNVFRS in 2015 as assistant fire chief – operations.
His philosophy is focused on embracing an inclusive approach to fire and emergency services management, with community stakeholder engagement at the core.
He recognizes that training and education, combined with experience and self-development, comprise essential components of fire service competency.
Education and qualifications
- Master's Degree in Disaster & Emergency Management
- Bachelor's Degree in Fire & Life Safety Studies
- Fire Service Leadership Diploma
- Fire Executive Management Certificate
- Certificate in International Development from the University of British Columbia
Brian also serves as an adjunct instructor for fire services programs at Dalhousie University and the Justice Institute of BC.
Contact Chief Hutchinson
- hutchinsonb@dnv.org
- 604.990.3676
Wayne Kennedy, Deputy Fire Chief
Wayne has served as deputy fire chief since 2013, assisting the fire chief with daily operations.
Early career
Prior to his service in the District, he served with Coquitlam Fire/Rescue as an auxiliary firefighter.
Work with the DNVFRS
Wayne began his career with DNVFRS in February, 1997. As a firefighter, he developed expertise in technical rescue, providing instruction in both high angle and confined space/trench rescue. He was also involved in emergency vehicle/aerial instruction, including fireboat operations.
In 2009, Wayne was promoted to assistant chief - operations, where he supervised the activities of two platoons, and was responsible for several portfolios and associated budgets.
Education and qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Human Kinetics
- Diploma in Liberal Arts & Science
- Fire Executive Management Certificate
- Fire Service Leadership Diploma
- Fire Officer Certificate
- Executive Chief Fire Officer (ECFO) designation
- Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) designation
- Numerous certifications in fire studies
Contact Chief Kennedy
- kennedyw@dnv.org
- 640.990.3674
Haida Fortier, Assistant Fire Chief – Public Safety
Haida began her career with the DNVFRS in 2018. As assistant fire chief, she leads a public safety staff of six fire inspectors, investigators, and public educators.
Early career
Haida's career started with the City of North Vancouver in 1997. Her career has spanned multiple divisions in the fire service, including suppression, administration, and dispatch. She completed her twenty-one year career with the North Vancouver City Fire Department as captain - prevention.
Work with the DNVFRS
Haida is the primary plan reviewer for new construction projects for the municipality for fire code compliance, and oversees an operating budget of over $850,000. As an Educator II, she has developed and delivered training and education to the public, fire service peers, and special interest groups, and has also authored a research paper on the topic of inter-municipal cooperation, which she presented to the Colleges and Institutes of Canada in 2016.
She is also a sessional instructor for the fire certificate programs at the Justice Institute of BC.
Education and qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Public Safety from the Justice Institute of BC
- Certified Fire Protection Specialist
- Numerous additional certificates (Fire Officer, Fire Prevention Officer, and Local Government Administration)
- Certified Blue Card Hazard Zone Incident Commander
Haida has also completed a variety of operational and technical programs related to fire ground operations and support, as well as support to the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
Contact Chief Fortier
- fortierh@dnv.org
- 604.990.3668
Monty Armstrong, Assistant Fire Chief – Public Safety
Monty re-joined DNVFRS in 2021 as an Assistant Chief to lead the Public Safety Division and efforts to maintain International Accreditation status as the Accreditation Manager.
Early career
Monty began in the fire service in 1989 working as a Paid-Call firefighter and as a Fire Technical Specialist in the Forestry and Mineral exploration industries.
Work with the DNVFRS
Monty joined DNVFRS in 2006 as a Fire Inspector and was promoted to Lieutenant in 2009. Monty left DNVFRS in 2014 to work as a Chief Officer at other fire departments in BC, Alberta and Ontario. During this time, Monty developed his competency in Labour Relations, Fire Operations, and all aspects of Fire Administration. Monty is also an instructor with the Justice Institute of BC in the Fire Officer Programs, and has delivered industry specific training across North America. As a Peer Assessor, Monty works with other fire departments in the CFAI Accreditation Program achieving and maintaining International Accredited Status.
Education and qualifications
- Master of Arts Degree in Leadership and Training – Royal Roads University
- Labour Management Relations Certificate – University of Saskatoon
- Executive Management Program – Simon Fraser University
- Applied Science Technologist (AScT) – ASTTBC
- Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) – NFPA
- Executive Chief Fire Officer (ECFO) – Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs
- Member Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE)
- Registered Fire Protection Technician (RFPT) – ASTTBC
- Safety Codes Officer (FIRE SCO) – Safety Codes Council of Alberta
Contact Chief Armstrong
- armstrongm@dnv.org
- 604-990-3668
Chris Byrom, Assistant Fire Chief – Operations
Chris was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief – Operations in December 2021. In addition to being Operations Chief for A Platoon and B Platoon, he also looks after Uniform, our Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) program, and oversees Emergency Medical Services.
Early career
Previous to his employment with DNVFRS, Chris worked for the British Columbia Wildfire Service (BCWS). He was also a member of Coquitlam Fire/Rescue before joining the District of North Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (DNVFRS).
Work with the DNVFRS
Chris began his career with DNVFRS as a probationary career firefighter in April 2000. With his BCWS background, Chief Byrom assisted in teaching the wildland program in its early stages. Chris was a confirmed Captain with the DNVFRS for 2 years before being promoted to Assistant Chief Operations. Chris has been on numerous deployments as a member of the Structure Protection Crew supporting BCWS and protecting communities across the Province from wildfire.
Education and qualifications
- Bachelors in Business Administration
- Fire Officer-II Qualification
- Certified Blue Card Hazard Zone Incident Commander
- Currently completing Fire Officer III/IV with the Justice Institute of British Columbia
Contact Chief Byrom
- byromc@dnv.org
- 604.990.3661
Scott Ferguson, Assistant Fire Chief – Operations
Scott was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief – Operations as of March 2022. He currently oversees operations on C and D Platoons.
Early career
Previously worked as a Paid-on-Call Firefighter for Surrey Fire Rescue Services from 1996-2000.
Work with the DNVFRS
Scott started as a probationary Firefighter with the District of North Vancouver Fire Rescue Services in July of 2000. After completing ongoing in-house training and operating all DNVFRS apparatus, Chief Ferguson completed the Fire Officer-II program in 2012. He became a confirmed Captain in 2017 and was eventually stationed at Fire Station #3 (Montroyal). Scott was very involved with the District of North Vancouver Firefighters Charitable Society from 2018-2021. His main focus was communications and social media in that role.
Education and qualifications
- Fire Officer-II Qualification
- Certified Blue Card Hazard Zone Incident Commander
- Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) programs
- Numerous additional certificates (Rescue and Swift Water Tech, Sprinkler Protection, Hazmat, Marine Firefighting)
- Currently completing Fire Officer III/IV with the Justice Institute of British Columbia
Contact Chief Ferguson
- fergusons@dnv.org
- 604.990.2466