"I want to be able to take a real good look at the different areas," he said.

"I'm going to focus on certain areas, like fire prevention... We are going to be active with fire prevention, which includes public education and working with the community. What I want to bring to Belleville is involvement with the community and with stakeholders."

By working with community based clubs, such as Rotary Clubs, Chaput says they will be able to provide programs and services which will not only help the fire service but the community as a whole. Being community oriented is very important to Chaput, he believes the fire service is part of the community and must be involved.

"The biggest challenge will be the completion of the master fire plan in a timely manner," Chaput said.

"I will certainly be using the expertise of the senior staff in Belleville: the engineering department, the planning department. [All] the different departments associated that that."

Belleville's Acting Deputy Fire Chief, Bruce Greatrix, says that himself and the rest of the fire department will support their new chief.

"I'm looking forward to the new chief coming on board and am looking forward to a good working relationship and to working with him and continuing the good service to the people of Belleville," Greatrix says.

Chaput feels that the Pembroke fire department is one of the leading departments of its size in Ontario. He says he is very proud of the fire service and its accomplishments and will miss all of its members. As it would be for anyone, it is very difficult for Chaput and his family to leave their long-time home. Chaput says his wife is nervously excited but looking forward to making Belleville their home and giving all he can to the community and the fire department.

"I'm bringing everything I have in my toolbox to Belleville and then some," he assures.