Fire Chief Tim Blake Announced This at a Council Meeting

He became a volunteer firefighter in 1988

Article by John Campbell/File photo

Fri., Feb. 4, 2022 - Trent Hills Fire Chief Tim Blake has delivered his last annual report.

He ended it by announcing his intention to retire later this year from “the greatest job in the world,” after more than two decades at the helm of the “best” fire department in the country.

He was appointed the municipality’s first full-time fire chief in 2012, having served as its volunteer fire chief since 2001.

“I have always been fortunate to have had the opportunity to be part of the Trent Hills Fire Department, loving every minute of it,” wrote Blake, who thanked council, fellow firefighters and municipal staff for their efforts, and the community for its “continued support” of the fire department.

“We appreciate and acknowledge your confidence and trust in each of us and we take our responsibility seriously, knowing that our actions impact the lives and safety of each of you.”He also thanked the families of firefighters for the “sacrifices” they make so firefighters can perform their duties.

Blake said being fire chief of the community he has called home his entire life has given his career “added meaning and substance. I have had great mentors and have been blessed to be able to mentor others with the experience and knowledge gained by those who came before us.”
“I have served shoulder to shoulder with some of the finest people and the best firefighters who have never hesitated to answer the bell and give it their all, whether it be for a fire or medical (emergency) or virtually anything else that would help someone in need.”

Trent Hills Fire Department has “the best people and families that the world can offer (and) I have been truly blessed by the friendships, the camaraderie, the trust and loyalty that makes us who we are.”
He said the local department has developed a “distinctive image” over the years with council’s help, as many fire departments want what Trent Hills has “but few can have” or equal in pride.

Blake didn’t set a date for his retirement or reveal what his plans are, saying only he looked forward to spending more time with his family.

Council members were quick to offer words of praise for the fire chief when his report came up for discussion at their Jan. 26 meeting.

Councillor Rick English said Blake’s retirement will be “a huge loss and a big void” to fill for the municipality.
“I think everybody feels the same way about our retiring fire chief … he’s gone above and beyond” what the duties of a fire chief require, Councillor Rosemary Kelleher-MacLennan said. The respect the municipality has received over the years from other municipalities and the “powers that be” proves his work has been “stellar,” and that he will leave “a big set of shoes” to fill for his successor, she said.

Deputy Mayor Mike Metcalf, filling in for Mayor Bob Crate, who was absent from the meeting, offered Blake his congratulations, telling him “to relax, slow down and enjoy” his retirement.

Blake said in a subsequent interview that he hopes to remain involved with the fire department in some capacity after his retirement. What that might be will be determined in discussions with chief administrative officer Lynn Phillips and “what the municipality wants to see going forward.”
“I hope to stay and do something to help (with) the future (of the department),” he said. “We’ve got a really good thing built up here.”

Blake, who just turned 60, said his retirement plans include doing more travelling with his wife Kim, a teacher, who retired last year.
It’s been “tough to take holidays,” he said. “When I’m gone from here I worry about the place because I am the chief.”

The couple have two children, Brittney and Zachary, both of whom are police officers.

“I missed a lot of family stuff over the years,” Blake said. “I have an amazing family that’s put up with this this long. That’s what a lot of people don’t understand. Without your family backing you, you can’t do this.”

Blake worked 26 years at Warkworth Institution in various positions, including being the head of programs at one time, before being named full-time fire chief for Trent Hills.

He became a volunteer firefighter in 1988 after getting a call from Ed Stapley, a volunteer firefighter himself and coach of the Campbellford Clippers that Blake played for, who asked if he’d be interested in joining the department. It has grown substantially since then, with 80 men and women currently on the Trent Hills roster.

The highlight of Blake’s career was the replacement of Campbellford’s aging fire hall with an emergency services base for firefighters and paramedics; it also houses new chambers for council.

“That was a big thing,” he said. It’s “a beautiful facility and it is working very well. The response times are great.”