Sault Ste. Marie’s first woman fire chief to start in February

Sault Ste. Marie has appointed Naomi Thibault as its first female fire chief. The deputy chief since 2023, she will assume the role Feb. 1.

Sault Ste. Marie’s city council has appointed a new Fire Chief for Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services, marking a historic first for the department.

The city’s recruitment and selection committee unanimously recommended Naomi Thibault for the role, effective Feb. 1. Thibault, who currently serves as Deputy Fire Chief of Prevention, Public Education, and Emergency Management, will become the first female Fire Chief in the service’s history.

She joined Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services in October 2015. Her career with the department has included roles as the community emergency management coordinator, emergency planning and research assistant, fire prevention and planning public education officer and fire prevention officer before her promotion to deputy chief in April 2023.

New chief expresses gratitude

In a statement, the newly appointed chief shared her reaction and outlook.

“I hope my appointment shows that leadership in the fire service isn’t limited to a single path. I look forward to leading a professional and dedicated team and to serving the community with integrity, safety and prevention at the forefront,” said Thibault in a news release Tuesday.

Long-serving predecessor retiring

Thibault will replace current Fire Chief Peter Johnson, who will retire at the end of January after a career spanning nearly 31 years with the department.

Johnson was hired on April 3, 1995, and served as a firefighter, acting captain, and deputy chief before becoming chief in August 2017.

The department acknowledged his lengthy service in its announcement.

“Sault Fire Services would like to thank Peter for his commitment to our service and the community,” said the city.