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Deputy Chief Pratt promoted as Readman leaves Kenora Fire

By Ryan Forbes Dec 12, 2022 | 5:00 AM


Photo courtesy of David Pratt / LinkedIn

The City of Kenora has a new Fire Chief after Kent Readman quietly stepped down earlier this month.

Deputy Fire Chief David Pratt has been named as the Kenora Fire and Emergency Services’ new Chief, effective December 5, and will be responsible for all aspects of the service and the city’s Emergency Management Program.

“The fire service finds itself in a season of change,” says Pratt. “I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead the dedicated, professional and well-trained staff who are ready to help keep our community safe.”

David Pratt was named as Kenora’s Deputy Fire Chief in April 2022 as he became Kenora’s first Deputy Chief in about 16 years. Pratt’s been a part of the Canadian Fire Service since 1998 and has risen through the ranks of fire departments across Canada.

He began his career in Acton, Ontario as a part-timer, before moving on to the Town of Halton Hills where he served as a Captain for over eight years. He was named Deputy Fire Chief in his hometown of Milton in 2008, serving for over 8 years. He was named Chief in 2017.

In 2020, Pratt moved on to Nunavut to assume the province’s Deputy Fire Marshall role. His last stop before Kenora was as a Deputy Fire Chief for the City of North Battleford in Saskatchewan.

“Chief Pratt is a seasoned and experienced hand that will oversee some significant projects in the fire service, including the implementation of our Master Fire Plan, which is expected in early 2023,” says Chief Administrative Officer, Kyle Attanasio.

“He has a clear vision for our fire service and has shown himself to be a strong contributor and collaborator on our team since his arrival,” Attanasio adds.

Kent Readman stepped down as Fire Chief in Kenora to take on the Fire Chief position for the Municipalities of North Huron and Huron East, which took effect on December 6.

It looks like Readman is returning home with the move, as he was part of North Huron’s fire department until 2015 – when he left to further advance his career goal of becoming a Fire Chief. North Huron says he’ll be working closely with retiring Chief Marty Bedard during the transition.

Readman was named as Kenora’s Fire Chief in June 2021 after coming over from the City of Dryden. He stepped into the shoes of longtime Kenora Fire Chief Todd Skene, who had served for 27 years.