KINBURN – Kinburn’s own Luc Chauvin is the new captain of Ottawa Fire Station 61.

The promotion was made official in a ceremony Wednesday (Nov. 27) evening at the Kinburn fire station. He replaces retiring captain David Cousins who is leaving the force after 25 years.

In front of his wife Laurie Chauvin, friends, family and colleagues from all over District 6 (rural west) Chauvin was promoted to captain in a brief ceremony. Deputy Chief of Rural Operations Todd Horricks, District 6 Chief Bill Bell and Coun. Eli El-Chantiry were on hand as well.

“We’re excited for the station and Luc and it’s a positive for Kinburn,” Bell told West Carleton Online this morning (Nov. 29). “He brings enthusiasm and ideas to move the station forward. It’s quite exciting.”

Chauvin joined the Ottawa Fire Service (OFS) in 2012. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2017 and was working as acting captain from roughly fall of 2018 to last spring before his promotion this week.

“The biggest thing he brings is leadership and a lot of ideas to bring the station and community together,” Bell said.

Bell credits Chauvin with creating the popular Breakfast with Santa event which this year is scheduled for Dec. 8. The event attracts Kinburn kids of all ages who head to the community centre for the most important meal of the day and a chance to chat-up the big, red guy himself.

Bell says the Kinburn department of volunteer firefighters is a “younger crew” compared to the other West Carleton fire stations.

“He is great at mentoring and coaching – a very good trainer,” Bell said.

One of Chauvin’s past initiatives was to build five model homes, Bell described as almost large doll houses. He distributed them around to rural stations to help with teaching “flow path and fire dynamics.”

Bell says Chauvin has all the tools to lead Station 61.

“He has a big heart, is all about safety and making sure firefighters enjoy what they do, which is critical to retention,” Bell said. “It’s a new chapter in Station 61 history.”