Ken McMullen started his first day on Monday as the City of Red Deer’s new fire chief and manager of emergency services.

McMullen spent the last nine years at the City of Calgary, both in the fire department and the Calgary Emergency Management Agency.

In total, he brings more than 21 years of firefighting experience.

“This was just a fabulous opportunity to come to a mid-sized community to take on the role of fire chief and manager of emergency services,” McMullen said.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the people here in Red Deer. Those front-line emergency service personnel, that day in, day out, do what they do.”

He has also played a leadership role in disaster relief, during incidents such as the Fort McMurray fires in 2016, Calgary floods in 2013  and Slave Lake fires in 2011.

McMullen’s departure from Calgary also drew the dismay of Mayor Naheed Nenshi over Twitter.