Burlington, Ont.—Feb. 3, 2026— After a competitive recruitment process, the City of Burlington has appointed Deputy Fire Chief Drew Boys as its next Fire Chief, effective February 9, 2026, following the upcoming retirement of Fire Chief Karen Roche.

Deputy Chief Boys brings more than 20 years of experience in the fire sector, including senior leadership roles with Brampton Fire and Emergency Services, Oakville Fire, and, most recently, Burlington Fire, where he currently serves as Deputy Fire Chief.

In his current role, Deputy Chief Boys has worked closely on projects such as Simultaneous Notification, Next Generation 9-1-1, the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS), and the modernization of Burlington’s primary and backup 9-1-1 Fire Communications Centres. All of these projects contribute to improving efficiencies and modernizing fire services.

Deputy Chief Boys serves as the sponsor of the City’s Enterprise Asset Management System (EAMS), contributing to technology projects that support data-driven decision-making and service delivery. He also participates in regional, provincial, and national committees, including the Joint Emergency Services Operational Advisory Group (JESOAG), the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC), and the Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN) Innovation Alliance.

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Quotes

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward 

“On behalf of the City of Burlington, I am pleased to welcome Deputy Fire Chief Drew Boys to his new role as Burlington Fire Chief. With extensive experience across the Greater Toronto Area and a strong commitment to public safety, I am confident that the Burlington Fire Department will continue to serve our community to the highest standards. We look forward to Chief Boys’ leadership and the positive impact he will bring to Burlington.”

Jacqueline Johnson, Commissioner, Community Services 

“Deputy Fire Chief Drew Boys brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to community safety to his new role as Burlington Fire Chief. His leadership and dedication will continue to be a great asset to the Burlington Fire Department as he steps into this new role. I would also like to sincerely thank retiring Fire Chief Karen Roche for her many years of service and leadership and wish her all the very best in this next chapter.”

Links and Resources

• To learn more about fire programs and services, visit: burlington.ca/fire

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