Toronto Fire Chief Jim Sales is stepping aside as Toronto’s top firefighter effective today.
Sales, who has held the job since 2012, had been on personal leave for the past few months, according to a news release.
The city did not provide any reason for his departure, nor would any public officials comment on why Sales is leaving.
“It’s been an honour to lead Toronto Fire Services for the past four and a half years," Sales said in the city release announcing his departure. “I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish. I sincerely hope that our efforts will provide a strong foundation for the Fire Service to continue to excel.”
In the release, Deputy City Manager John Livey thanked Sales for leading Toronto Fire Services and called it “the largest and one of the most complex fire services in the country.”
“Toronto Fire Services has strong leadership throughout its ranks and I am confident that the team is prepared to meet current and future challenges as we embark on a process to fill the top leadership role,” Livey said.
Sales held positions in in Edmonton, Markham and Barrie before coming to Toronto.
Deputy Chief Matthew Pegg will continue in his role as interim fire chief until a permanent successor is chosen.
