By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
After a competitive recruitment process, the City of Burlington has appointed Deputy Fire Chief Drew Boys as its next fire chief, effective February 9, 2026. Boys stepped into the role following the retirement of long-serving Fire Chief Karen Roche, marking a new chapter for the Burlington Fire Department.
Boys brings more than 20 years of experience in the fire sector and has held senior leadership roles across the region, including positions with Brampton Fire and Emergency Services and Oakville Fire Department, before joining the Burlington Fire Department, where he most recently served as deputy fire chief.
His appointment comes at a time when fire services are navigating growing populations, evolving emergency risks and increasing demand for modernised communication systems and prevention programs. For Boys, the focus moving forward will be on preparedness, prevention, and technology.
“My priorities focus on three core areas: operational readiness, community risk reduction, and system modernization,” Boys said. “Our goal is simple: the right resources, in the right place, at the right time.”
That approach includes strengthening response performance using data-driven planning while ensuring firefighters have the facilities, equipment, and training required to meet the community’s needs. Boys emphasized that prevention and public education are key components of fire safety, alongside emergency response.
“We are enhancing risk-based fire prevention and inspection programs to reduce incidents before they occur,” he said. “Prevention and education are just as critical as emergency response.”
Part of the department’s modernization efforts will also include advancing mission-critical technologies such as the Next Generation 9-1-1 system (NG911, an initiative that enables features such as text or video calls to 911) and new analytics tools that allow emergency services to receive accurate information faster when residents call for help.
Boys also plans to expand community-focused initiatives aimed at building stronger safety awareness across Burlington’s neighbourhoods.
“We are expanding our community risk reduction model to be more targeted and data-informed,” he said. “This includes enhanced smoke and carbon monoxide alarm campaigns, lithium-ion battery safety education, and focused outreach in higher-risk residential occupancies.”
Youth engagement will remain a priority as well. “We are continuing to invest in youth engagement initiatives,” Boys said. “Programs such as Blaze Fire Academy have demonstrated how meaningful early engagement can be, particularly in encouraging young people to consider careers in the fire service.”
Collaboration with schools, community organizations, and local agencies will play an important role in expanding outreach efforts.
“Partnership is central to our approach,” he said. “We work closely with schools to deliver age-appropriate fire safety programming and emergency preparedness education, and we collaborate with community agencies and seniors’ organizations to ensure fire safety messaging reaches vulnerable populations in ways that are practical and relevant.”
Ensuring all residents feel protected and supported during emergencies is also a key focus of his leadership.
“Equity in emergency response is critical,” Boys said. “Protection is not just about response time. It is about understanding community risk.”
The department uses incident data, demographic analysis, and community partnerships to identify where prevention and education efforts should be concentrated.
“As fire chief, my role is to ensure policy, training, infrastructure, and technology all work together to protect every resident, regardless of geography or circumstance,” he said.
Boys said his path to the fire service began with a desire to work in a profession centred on service and teamwork.
“I was drawn to the fire service because of its purpose-driven nature,” he said. “It is a profession built on service, trust, and teamwork.”
Over more than two decades in the field, he has navigated complex leadership challenges while modernizing emergency systems.
“One of the most challenging periods in my career involved leading complex modernization initiatives while maintaining uninterrupted emergency service delivery,” Boys said. “Implementing large-scale technology transitions requires coordination across multiple agencies, regulatory compliance, financial stewardship, and operational continuity.”
Those experiences, he said, underscored the importance of steady leadership during change.
“It reinforced for me that leadership requires calm decision making, disciplined planning, and transparent communication. You must be able to manage change while preserving trust.”
Beyond the operational responsibilities of the role, Boys says he will stay connected within the community.
“I intend to remain visible and accessible,” he said. “Beyond the title, I am part of this community. I want residents to see Burlington Fire as professional, approachable, and unwavering in our commitment to their safety.”
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward welcomed the appointment and expressed confidence in Boys’ leadership.
“On behalf of the City of Burlington, I am pleased to welcome Deputy Fire Chief Drew Boys to his new role as Burlington fire chief,” said Meed Ward. “With extensive experience across the Greater Toronto Area and a strong commitment to public safety, I am confident that the Burlington Fire Department will continue to serve our community to the highest standards.”
Jacqueline Johnson, the City of Burlington’s commissioner of community services, also acknowledged the leadership transition while thanking the outgoing chief for her years of service.
“Deputy Fire Chief Drew Boys brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to community safety to his new role as Burlington fire chief,” Johnson said. “His leadership and dedication will continue to be a great asset to the Burlington Fire Department as he steps into this new role. I would also like to sincerely thank retiring Fire Chief Karen Roche for her many years of service and leadership and wish her all the very best in this next chapter.”
As Boys officially takes on the role, he says his focus will remain on building a resilient, forward-looking fire service while maintaining strong relationships with the community it serves.
