ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF RETIRES.
After two years of protecting the Township of Muskoka Lakes, assistant fire chief Jim Schneider has quietly called it a career. He joined the small-town department after a three-decade career with Vaughan Fire and Rescue Services. (File photo by Karen Longwell).
After two years of putting out fires in cottage country, Muskoka Lakes Fire Department assistant fire chief Jim Schneider has retired from his post.
This newspaper learned of Schneider’s departure on Monday, July 9, when it contacted the fire department about an unrelated incident.
Without any formal fanfare, Schneider quietly called it a career on June 27. At press time, the Township of Muskoka Lakes had not released an official statement on Schneider’s departure, and his departure was not mentioned at a council meeting on July 9.
Schneider could not be contacted by press time, but Muskoka Lakes fire chief Richard Hayes said their time working together has been extremely positive.
“We had a very trusting relationship that grew into a friendship that’s lasting,” said Hayes. “He was dedicated and he knew the business very well.”
Schneider joined the Muskoka Lakes Fire Department as assistant fire chief in 2010, bringing with him over three decades of experience with Vaughan Fire and Rescue Services.
He had started his career as a volunteer firefighter in Nobleton, before moving on to hold several command positions in Vaughan. A Muskoka Lakes cottager since 1975, Schneider was an acting platoon chief in Vaughan before becoming a year-round cottage country resident.
In his career, Schneider received two citations from the Mayor of Vaughan for rescuing fire victims.
There is currently no word on when a replacement for Schneider will be hired.
“What we’ll be doing is compiling a report for replacement of that position,” said Hayes.