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M.D. of Smoky River welcomes a new fire chief
Barb Toker
for Smoky River Express
The Municipal District of Smoky River will soon be welcoming their new fire chief with the arrival of Cindy Conroy, April 12.
Conroy is currently working with the Department of National Defense (DND) Fire Department in Wainwright and says she is looking forward to moving her career up to the next level.
“As you go through your fire career, you are looking to progress,” she said. “I’d been applying for training officer positions, but decided to look into an officer’s role.”
It was the opportunity to expand her knowledge on the administrative end of firefighting that Conroy found to be an appealing aspect of the Smoky River posting. Working with DND, Conroy said those administrative tasks were outside the fire department’s mandate.
“We don’t deal with local councils and we don’t do any of the budgeting.
“With this position you have that.”
Conroy began as a volunteer fire fighter in 1998 and has steadily built her repertoire in the field. Working on a military base has provided plenty of opportunity to expand her skill set to include medical response, aircraft fires, auto accidents and hazardous materials. And with the military training on the firing line, grass fires are not uncommon.
As a long time resident of small communities, Conroy said she is looking forward to her move to the Smoky Region.
“I’ve been a small town girl all my life,” she said. “I like the personal side of the small community. I like walking down the street and saying hello…that kind of atmosphere.”
Conroy has had the opportunity to see the region first hand, but said there is still a lot to see of a jurisdiction encompassing a million square acres. First impressions have been positive.
“I’m really looking forward (to the move). When I had my interview and talked to Rita (Therriault) and Lucien (Turcotte) I felt very comfortable. They were very friendly and very open and it told me how the job would be in the future.
“I like that kind of openness,” she said, “knowing that I can go in anytime and talk about things.”
And Conroy is also excited about getting involved in the local sporting scene.
“I took up curling about two years ago. I love softball. I haven’t strapped on the blades for a while, but I understand that they have a women’s hockey team as well.”
It sounds like the new fire chief is going to fit in around here just fine.
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