Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services has a new leader. At Monday night’s meeting, city council approved the appointment of Peter Johnson as the new fire chief. “I just want to express our complete confidence in you from mayor and council,” said Christian Provenzano, Sault Ste. Marie mayor. “We think you’ll do a tremendous job. You have our full confidence and our full support.” Johnson has 23 years of fire service experience. His most recent role with the Sault Fire Services was deputy fire chief. “I’m honoured and I’m grateful,” said Johnson. “I’d like to thank my family for being here, they’ve been a big support for me. I look forward to working with council. I’d like to get together in a few weeks and set up some meetings with you.” Johnson replaces former chief Mike Figliola, who left the department in May. At the time, the city wouldn’t say if Figliola quit or if he was fired. Sources told CTV the departure ‘wasn’t mutual’. Figliola had a contentious relationship with the firefighter’s union; spawned over a plan to convert retiring firefighter positions to EMS hires. “There was a lot of dialogue missing,” said Richard Bishop, Sault Ste. Marie Professional Firefighters president, during an interview with CTV back in May. “We want to look at rebuilding our relationship with management and rebuilding our department. I think its going to be a tall task, but something we’re prepared to do.” Johnson officially takes over as new chief on Tuesday.
