Dave Tarini named as Thunder Bay’s next fire chief
THUNDER BAY — The City of Thunder Bay has selected Dave Tarini as the next chief of Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, following what the city described as a national search. The appointment will now go to city council for approval on April 7. For Thunder Bay, the leadership change comes as the city continues work tied to its master fire plan and broader efforts to improve firefighter and community safety.
Veteran firefighter rises through the ranks
Tarini brings more than two decades of municipal firefighting experience to the role, along with an earlier 13-year career fighting wildfires with the Ministry of Natural Resources.
He joined Thunder Bay Fire Rescue in 2003 as a fifth-class professional firefighter and moved up through the department over the years. The city said he also served on the executive of the Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters Association and most recently held the roles of deputy fire chief and acting fire chief.
“Dave has significant and varied experience combined with important leadership skills, and I look forward to working with him to implement recommendations in the Master Fire Plan to support growth and improve community and firefighter safety,” said Kayla Dixon, the city’s commissioner of infrastructure and operations.
Tarini holds a bachelor of arts degree from Queen’s University and a certificate in fire service leadership from Dalhousie University. The city said he is also a qualified instructor in MNR wildfire response, incident command and emergency management, with additional training in fire service leadership and hazardous materials response.
“I am excited to continue serving the citizens of Thunder Bay in my new role,” Tarini said in the city’s announcement. “Thunder Bay Fire Rescue is fortunate to be staffed by a dedicated group of individuals, and I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to lead them.”
Why the appointment matters locally
Fire chief is a key statutory role in municipal government, with responsibility not only for fire suppression but also for prevention, training, emergency planning and public education.
In Thunder Bay, that role carries added weight because Thunder Bay Fire Rescue serves both the city and the surrounding region in responding to a wide range of emergencies and hazardous situations. The department operates from eight fire stations and a fire training facility, with more than 200 staff.
Tarini’s background may also carry particular relevance in Northwestern Ontario, where wildfire experience, emergency management training and inter-agency coordination are all important in a region shaped by forest fire risk, transportation corridors and industrial hazards.
What comes next
The appointment still requires formal approval by city council. If approved, Tarini will take over permanent leadership of Thunder Bay Fire Rescue after serving in the department’s top ranks in acting and deputy roles.
