Occupation: Fire Chief
Company: The Municipality of Leamington Fire Services;
Born: London, Ontario, Canada
Education:
Diploma in Canadian Fire Service Leadership, Henson College, Dalhousie University (2002)
Diploma, Electronic Engineering Technician, Fanshawe College (1982)
Certifications:
Public Information Officer, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (2016); Fire Inspector, Level One, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (2016); Fire Service Instructor, Level Two, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (2016); Fire Officer, Level Two, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (2016); Firefighter, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (2016); Executive Chief Fire Officer (ECFO), Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) (2010); Certified Municipal Manager III, Ontario Municipal Management Institute (2010); Fire Suppression Professional, Ontario Municipal Management Institute (2010); Emergency Management Professional, Ontario Municipal Management Institute (2010); Pro-Board Certified Fire Investigator, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA); Fire Service Training Officer; Fire Service Executive; Industrial Electrician License; Total Quality Management Instructor; Road to Mental Readiness Instructor
Career:
Team Lead, Utility Services, Windsor West, Union Gas Limited (Now Enbridge Inc.) (2002-2003)
Environment Health and Safety Coordinator, Union Gas Limited (Now Enbridge Inc.) (2001-2002)
Team Lead, Operation Services, Union Gas Limited (Now Enbridge Inc.) (2000-2001)
Manager, Material Control/Warehouse Maintenance, H.J. Heinz Company of Canada (Now Kraft-Heinz, Inc.) (1994-2000)
Department Head, Material Control, H.J. Heinz Company of Canada (Now Kraft-Heinz, Inc.) (1993-1994)
Supervisor, Receiving and Storage, H.J. Heinz Company of Canada (Now Kraft-Heinz, Inc.) (1989-1993)
Electronic and Pneumatic Instrumentation and Controls Technician, H.J. Heinz Company of Canada (Now Kraft-Heinz, Inc.) (1982-1989)
Career Related:
Part-time Professor, Pre-Fire Service Program, St. Clair College (2004-2006)
Civic:
Fire Chief, The Municipality of Leamington Fire Services (2024-Present); Emergency Worker Centre Manager, Town of Amherstburg, Canada (2022-Present); Essex County Fire Coordinator, Province of Ontario, Canada (2019-Present); Interim Fire Chief, The Municipality of Leamington Fire Services (2023-2024); Fire Chief, Municipality of Lakeshore Fire Department (2005-2024); Member, Advisory Committee, Pre-Fire Service Program, St. Clair College (2003-2017); Acting Fire Chief, Municipality of Lakeshore Fire Department (2005); Deputy Fire Chief, Municipality of Lakeshore Fire Department (2003-2005); District Fire Chief (On Call), Essex Fire and Rescue Service (1999-2003); Deputy Fire Chief (On Call), Colchester North Fire Department (1996-1999); Member, Committee of Adjustments, Colchester North Township, Canada (1996-1998); Captain (On Call), Colchester North Fire Department (1995-1996); Member, OPP Community Policing Committee, Colchester North Township, Canada (1990-1995); Firefighter (On Call), Colchester North Fire Department (1986-1995)
Creative Works:
Featured, “Leamington Appoints Don Williamson as New Fire Chief,” Kingsville Times (2023)
Achievements:
As of 2024, Mr. Williamson is one of 29 chief officers out of 437 fire departments in Ontario and one of 163 chief officers out of approximately 3200 fire departments in Canada with the Executive Chief Fire Officer (ECFO) designation; Starting in 1986 as volunteer firefighter, he worked his way through the ranks in 1996 to being the youngest volunteer deputy fire chief in the region.
Memberships:
Chief Officer, Peer Support Team Member, Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (2024-Present); Member, Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs; Member, Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs; Member, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Family:
Married
Two Sons
Four Grandchildren
Hobbies:
Boot camp