The Enderby and District Fire Department has a new chief at the helm.
Richard Bastiaansen is taking over as fire chief, the fire department announced on Facebook Thursday, Nov. 7. He is replacing Cliff Vetter, who retired last week after a 30-year career with the department and seven years as chief.
Bastiaansen brings a decade of experience working in the community to the role. He joined the fire department in 2014 after serving as a firefighter and captain with the Chilliwack Fire Department. His leadership and dedication was recognized when he was given the role of deputy chief in 2017.
"Now, as our fire chief, chief Bastiaansen's focus remains steadfast 鈥� to continue the vision of innovation and progressiveness. He is dedicated to proudly serving our community and its citizens, ensuring their safety and well-being are always at the forefront," the fire department said.
"Moreover, chief Bastiaansen has been an advocate for fostering strong working relationships with our mutual aid partners. His collaborative spirit and dedication to teamwork has helped to strengthen our department's effectiveness in serving the community."
Speaking to The Morning Star Thursday morning, Bastiaansen said it's "a real honour" to be leading the team at the Enderby department.
He's looking forward to the challenge of following in the footsteps of Vetter, while making his own mark on the department.
"Cliff definitely left a legacy," he said. "Definitely big shoes to fill. I think with new beginnings comes new ideas, and I think we're just going to continue on his legacy and continue to grow and build this department and protect this community like we have."
Bastiaansen said two of the biggest issues facing fire departments across North America is recruitment and retention of firefighters, and those are issues he'll look to improve upon as fire chief in order to grow the department.
Bastiaansen and his family have lived in Enderby for 11 years. Coming from Chilliwack, they've been relishing the small-community life ever since.
"Enderby fell in our laps. We were looking at getting out of the big city and came up here to look at some homes, and we just fell in love with it instantly and never looked back."
The fire department extended thanks to Bastiaansen's wife, Tammy, and his children, Nathan, Adriana, Dylan and Nicholas for their support as he assumes the new role.
