Ted Gard, the now-former general manager of community services with Rocky View County (RVC), is no longer an employee with the organization, a county representative confirmed.
Gard has retired from his position, according to Stacy McGuire, communications coordinator with the county.
In the interim, Kent Robinson — the general manager of corporate services — will fill Gard’s role until a replacement is found.
Gard’s final day with the county was Aug. 30.
In his former role with community services, Gard was involved with the changes made to Rocky View County Fire Services that resulted in the June layoffs of 11 full-time firefighters — eliminating a total of 12 full-time equivalent positions.
RVC also laid off seven full-time firefighters and a chief fire marshal in February 2012.
It is believed that the most recent layoffs and subsequent lack of staff resulted in the closure of firehalls, said Dale Stone, a retired Calgary firefighter with 37 years experience.
The Elbow Valley fire station closed for about 12 hours on Aug. 18 when only two firefighters were working, and the Irricana station has closed on a number of occasions due to lack of volunteers.
On Aug. 19, the station in Springbank had only three firefighters on staff.
During his career with the Calgary Fire Department, Stone climbed the ranks, eventually becoming deputy chief. Following his retirement in 2000, the county resident sat on RVC’s Emergency Services Committee from 2005-2008.
Stone said the committee has since disbanded.
“It’s been a total disaster from the minute Ted Gard walked in there,” said Stone.
“Administration would not answer calls for safety, they forced the firefighters into a union. Everything the firefighters have for their safety, they’ve had to fight for.”
On Sept. 9 and 10, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4794 attempted to persuade the Alberta Labour Relations Board that Rocky View County was bargaining in bad faith.
