Prince George fire Chief Cliff Warner is calling it a career.
After 29 years on the job with Prince George Fire Rescue, Warner is retiring so he can spend more time with his family, including three grandchildren.
His last day on the job will be May 30.
Warner took over as chief from John Iverson in January 2022, at the tail end of COVID-19 pandemic, and oversaw the transformation as frontline firefighters became tasked more often as first responders to medical calls heightened in recent years by the opioid crisis.
He also held a leadership role as deputy chief during the wildfire evacuations of 2017 and 2018.
Warner also was one of the dozens of firefighters called to the North Central Plywood fire in 2008, which ranks as one of the largest fires in city’s history. That disastrous blaze in the BCR Site destroyed the plant where Warner used to work as a student.
Warner was a key figure in putting out figurative fires while organizing the department’s move to the new Fire Hall No. 1 on Massey Drive in January 2021, which significantly improved the day-to-day operations for the 130-employee PGFR - another of his career highlights.
“Something that rings true to me is the camaraderie, collaboration, and teamwork that have made my time with Prince George Fire Rescue so special,” Warner said, in a City of Prince George release.
“I feel blessed to have been a part of this team. I’ve worked with many great people over the years, learned a lot, and hope I’ve been able to share some of my knowledge in return.”
Warner was selected as the city's 11th fire chief since it became a full-time position in the 1950s.
Mayor Simon Yu said Warner excelled at his job leading the department as a vital provider of emergency medical and fire protection services.
“We are deeply thankful for Chief Warner’s decades of service,” said Yu. “As mayor, and on behalf of the citizens of Prince George, we appreciate his tireless work under challenging circumstances, particularly in recent years. He has earned the utmost respect from all of us.”
The hunt for a new fire chief will begin shortly, according to a city release.
Bryan Burleigh and Clayton Sheen currently serve as deputy chiefs.
