One of the county’s well known names when it comes to fire fighting is taking his expertise across the Norris Whitney bridge.

County native Jim Young, a firefighter with over three decades of experience, was announced as the City of Belleville’s next deputy fire chief last week.

Mr. Young brings to his new role experience as volunteer firefighter, career firefighter, captain and, most recently, as a Chief Training Officer with the County of Prince Edward.

Deputy Chief Young has been an instructor with the Ontario Fire College since 2005, and has provided skills training to the majority of Quinte region firefighters at the Regional Training Centre.

In a statement to the Gazette, County Fire and Rescue Chief Chad Brown thanked Mr. Young for his decades of service.

“I want to thank Jim for his service. He was a firefighter with the us since 1992 and a career firefighter since 2003. Jim’s leadership and dedication to public safety will be greatly missed and we wish him all the best in this new role.”

In his role with the City of Belleville, Deputy Chief Young will oversee Fire Prevention, strategic projects and take on a lead role in transitioning Belleville out of the fire dispatch business over the coming year.

“On behalf of Belleville Fire and Emergency Services and the City of Belleville, I would like to welcome Jim as our newest Deputy Fire Chief,” said Director of Emergency Services and Fire Chief Dan Smith. “Jim comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the fire service. His background in a composite fire service will no doubt assist us as we continue to grow our department.”