MELFORT — After serving in a more administrative role, Melfort’s newly hired fire chief is hoping to get his hands dirty fighting fires.
Jason Everitt is currently the fire chief for the City of Prince Albert. He starts in Melfort July 3.
“Although the Prince Albert Fire Department in the city is incredible to work with and work within, it was time for a personal change on my level,” he said. “To me, what’s important is that hands-on, out on the street, helping the people that maybe find themselves in a situation or a crisis that they aren’t able to manage. I want to get my hands on again to the fire service and in my current position I’m very limited in how I can effect that.”
Everitt has been in the firefighting industry for almost three decades. He’s worked in municipal and industrial fire operations, as well as EMS pre-hospital care. He’s worked for the Prince Albert Fire Department for five and a half years.
When he takes charge of Melfort, it will be the first time that Everitt’s been in charge of a volunteer fire department.
“This change offers me a good opportunity for both personal and professional growth, so I’m looking forward to that challenge.”
Everitt said he chose Melfort because it’s a growing, dynamic, busy city that’s close to Prince Albert and is progressive in its thinking. Over the last little bit, he’s been talking to Paul See, who he’s replacing as fire chief, about his reflections of the city and the fire department.
“He was always very positive and spoke very highly of the community, which for me was a big draw.”
The incoming chief spoke highly of See and how he’s managed the Melfort Fire Department in the year he was in the job.
“He’s made some great changes and that momentum is moving forward and I want to ensure that legacy continues.”
When Everitt gets to Melfort, he plans to meet with city administration to get a feel of what they expect of the fire department, talk with the members of the fire department, get in contact with local media and connect with the community at large.
“I want to connect with Melfort, I want to meet as many people as possible and I want to hear from them,” he said. “I want to make sure we can provide the service that the citizens of Melfort and area deserve.”
Everitt added his office door will always be open, as it is in Prince Albert.
