Corner Brook eliminates fire chief position

The City of Corner Brook is cutting its position of fire chief as it restructures its fire and emergency services, a move that came as a shock to the man in the job.

Neville Wheaton held the fire chief position until Tuesdaymorning, when he said he was called into a meeting and told his job had been eliminated, effective immediately.

Wheaton told the CBC the news came as a total surprise.

Thanks Wheaton for service

In a news release Tuesday, the city said the fire chief position had been made redundant, as the city makes changes to its organizational structure.

"This restructuring will align similar servicesin an effort to ensure complimentary resources are effectively utilized and to enhanceservice delivery within the organization," said the news release from the city.

A new department of protective services will be created to oversee fire and emergency services and operations.

"The City of Corner Brook thanks NevilleWheaton for his years of service."

The city's fire departmenthas 41 full- and part-time unionizedfirefighters There are also threemanagement positions, of which Wheaton's job was one.

The new organizational changes come after a motion was put forth in a recent council meeting, the news release said.

Mayor Charles Pender won't be commenting further on the restructuring at the moment and the news release stated new details will be released in the coming weeks.