Fire Chief

Toronto Pearson is transforming. Now’s the time for your career to fly.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is a unique and dynamic place to work, with a bold plan to make Toronto Pearson, Canada’s leading global hub airport, a global leader in airport performance, customer care and sustainability. Together with our partners, approximately 2,100 GTAA employees are working to create a next‑generation airport by innovating in all we do and striving for the most uplifting, safe and efficient experience for our passengers – all while championing the prosperity of our people, the community we call home, and our aviation partners. Join us on our journey together, as we put the joy back into travel and make Toronto Pearson the chosen place to fly and work.

What's in it for you?

• An opportunity to grow, develop, and thrive within a dynamic, and fast‑growing company alongside thoughtful and passionate individuals dedicated to their work and community.
• Eligibility to participate in our Group Health Benefits Program.
• A flexible work environment, continuous internal and external learning opportunities, and a meaningful reward and recognition program.

What can you expect from this position?

Reporting to the Head of Safety, Security and Emergency Services, the Fire Chief is responsible for strategic leadership, operational oversight, and public safety coordination. This role blends emergency response expertise with administrative and managerial duties to ensure the department runs efficiently and effectively.

As Fire Chief, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership for Airport Fire & Emergency Services, aligning operations with enterprise priorities including safety, operational excellence, resiliency, and customer experience.
• Define and deliver a multi‑year modernization strategy for ARFF, advancing digital capabilities, predictive maintenance, inter‑agency collaboration, and training excellence.
• Partner with senior leadership to embed emergency preparedness and fire protection requirements into capital programs, infrastructure development, and operational readiness initiatives.
• Lead the design and continuous improvement of emergency management frameworks through data‑driven insights, post‑incident analysis, and large‑scale simulation exercises.
• Direct complex, multi‑agency emergency responses, ensuring effective incident command, rapid decision‑making, and coordinated crisis management.
• Establish departmental strategy, policies, performance frameworks, and long‑term objectives that support organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
• Build and sustain a high‑performing leadership team through talent acquisition, succession planning, coaching, and a strong focus on professional development.
• Oversee financial stewardship of the department, including multi‑year capital and operating plans, budgeting, and resource optimization.
• Champion a culture of safety, accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement, while fostering strong labour relations and employee engagement.
• Ensure full compliance with applicable legislation, standards, and regulations, maintaining required aerodrome emergency response capabilities and service levels.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with municipal agencies, external responders, and internal stakeholders to strengthen integration, preparedness, and service delivery.
• Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on emergency services strategy, risk, and capability planning, supporting informed decision‑making at the enterprise level.

This is the role for you, if you have:

• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in fire services, including experience at the fire officer level; airport operations experience is an asset.
• Minimum 8 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity.
• NFPA Fire Officer I & II, NFPA 921, and NFPA 1003 certifications.
• Strong knowledge of National Building Code, Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), Canadian Labour Code, and WSIB requirements.
• Expertise in Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF), emergency response operations, and municipal fire services.
• Experience working within unionized environments, including collective bargaining and labour relations.
• Knowledge of airport operations, mutual aid agreements, and multi‑agency emergency response coordination.
• Familiarity with paramedic services and integrated emergency response models.
• Diploma in Fire Services, Company Officer Diploma, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to obtain and retain Transportation Security Clearance.

The GTAA is committed to Employment Equity and maintaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

This position is exempt from Ontario's 2026 pay transparency requirements under Regulation 476/24.

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