Stouffville hires retired Markham fire chief as new chief

Bill Snowball coming out of retirement

Yorkregion.com
April 23, 2019
Simon Martin

The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville has hired former Markham Fire Chief Bill Snowball as the new fire chief.

Snowball, who spent over 41 years at Markham Fire & Emergency Services, comes out of retirement to lead the Whitchurch-Stouffville Fire Department.

“We are very excited to have someone of Bill’s experience join our team as chief,” said Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Iain Lovatt. “Bill has a passion for the fire service and is well respected.”

Snowball began his career as a volunteer firefighter for Markham in 1974 and became a full-time firefighter in 1985. He worked his way up the ranks first as a volunteer firefighter, then full-time firefighter, fire captain, platoon chief, deputy fire chief, and then fire chief in 2009. Snowball retired in 2016.

“Bill has a reputation of excelling in his leadership skills and his public education initiatives. Lovatt said. “He will be a tremendous asset to our town.”

The position of Whitchurch-Stouffville fire chief became vacant when former chief Richard Renaud announced late in March that he had accepted a position in Burlington. His last day was April 14.

Whitchurch-Stouffville’s Fire & Emergency Services consists of 38 full-time staff and 40 volunteer firefighters.

Chief Snowball’s first day on the job will be April 17.