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'But a fortuitous meeting in a Richmond Hill swimming pool changed everything and 28 years later on June 1. Mr. McKenzie took over as fire chief of the Whitchurch- Stoufiville Fire and Emergency Ser- vices Department. Ask virtually every little boy what hewants to be when he grows up and you hear policeman or fimman. ?' Rob McKenm'e, on the other hqnd, wanted to be a pilot “It became a love and it just became a passion," Mr. McKenzie said. “I found my niche. I never thought of it before. I didn't real- ize how challenging and exciting it would be.” A student's parent, David Bagley, who was also the Richmond Hill fire department's deputy ‘chief at the time suggested Mr. McKenzie become a volunteer firefighter. Mr. McKenzie thought: why not. Eventually firefighting became more important than At age 19, Mr. McKenzie was sav- ing up for flying lessons by being a lifeguard and swim instructor at Richmond Hill’s Centennial Pool. v.‘ $.( 0 9‘. a v‘ ‘4’“...3’ 0‘. IV". 1]“ l ' o u McKenzne m ‘3‘“ "7" ‘1 4 ¢ hnce meeting changedwchief’s life ‘I want them to be first rate, as good as any department in the GTA or a bit better.’ BY SANDRA BOLAN sbolan@yrmg.com more and in 2006 he joined the Wtchurch-Stoufl'ville fire depart- mentas its deputy chief. “l wasata point inmylifé (where I wanted) to take a step outside my comfort zone," Mr. McKenzie said. “It's not that I wasn't happy in Rich- mond Hill, it’s just the opportunity I was looking for wasn’t there. Over the past four years, the Newmarketu resident, along with former chief Chris Power, became involved in replacing several of the department’s fleet, hiring nine full- time firefighters and more than 25 volunteers in the last couple of years as well as rolling out the new fire hall. He has also helped the depart- ment transition to 24-hour cover- age. “I wouldn’t be as confident to do the job if Chief Powers didn’t help me the last couple of years,” Mr. McKenzie said. “For me, he’s a great teacher, leader (and) huge mentor.” Don’t expect any Widespread changes under Mr. McKenzie. “How we get there might be a little bit difierent. I don’t think you'll notice any big radical changes.” Mr. McKenzie added: “I want the department to grow with the town professionally and educationally. I Want them to be first rate, as good as any department in the GTA or a bit better." “At that time, there was no oppor- tunity for advancement within Rich- mond Hill" . “A5 far as the message, the goals, the objectives will likely be the same,” he said. cw.- SUN-TRIBUNE FDLE PHOTO New fire chief Rob McKenzie chips in at a McHappy Day in Stoufl'ville.