By Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Lethbridge Fire Chief Richard Hildebrand hanging up his boots in August

Mar 29, 2019 | 3:32 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services Chief Richard Hildebrand has announced his retirement after four years at the helm.

Hildebrand says he’s had a fantastic career with the City of Lethbridge, but that this wasn’t an easy decision.

“Obviously, the department, the uniform, a lot of my identity is wrapped up in the jobs I’ve done for the past 31 years. But I know that there are so many other things that I’d like to do and so many more adventures to set out on. My wife is also retired, so we have lots of plans for the next chapter.”

His final day with the City will be on Aug. 13, 2019.

Chief Hildebrand’s career started with the City of Lethbridge in 1985 when he joined on as one of the City’s first Paramedic/Firefighters.

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“I’ve had so many opportunities to be parts of major change here, starting in 1985. Another fresh paramedic graduate and I, we were the first two paramedics in the department. To see the paramedic program grow from what was essentially a very basic ambulance service to what I think is one of the premium services in the province today was such an incredible experience for me,” Hildebrand said, adding to be a part of the change in how EMS is delivered was fantastic.

In 2000, he served as a Fire Prevention Officer, advancing to the Deputy Chief in 2002. In 2009, he joined the City Manager’s office to work on a variety of corporate projects which included leading in the ongoing relationship and contract discussions with the Alberta Health Services ambulance contract and the dispatch integration.

These projects supported the retention of Lethbridge’s integrated service delivery model.

“I was able to hold roles as a firefighter and a paramedic, with a small period of time in fire prevention as well as five years at City Hall. It was a great chance to understand the municipal process better and to build relationships that I wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to develop. Then finally as chief, it’s been a fantastic privilege to lead our organization.

“When I look back, I’ve developed so many relationships, and what you realize very quickly is that it takes a team of people to get anything done. The fire service, and emergency services, in general, is built around teams. It is what makes this job so special, and I’m going to miss it a great deal.”

When you’ve been on the job for as long as Hildebrand, you make a lot of memories, good and bad.

“Everyone who’s served in this uniform will have some collection of memories that frankly they don’t actually want to pull out of the filing cabinet too often, but there’s no doubt we’ve been part of bringing life into the world,” he continued. “Trying to preserve life, and I’m not going to say I’ve saved a lot of people, but I helped some people along the way. Helping people is just what this uniform stands for, we get to do that every day, and it’s a privilege to deliver the services we do in the community.”

Recruitment for a new fire chief has begun with the job posting going out earlier today.

Tony Vanden Heuvel, the City of Lethbridge’s Director of Community Services, says they know they have big shoes to fill with Chief Hildebrand’s departure.

“We thank him for his amazing leadership, and we are now undergoing an extensive search to find the best candidate to fill this vital role in our community,” Vanden Heuvel added.

“The foundation has been set, we’ve got a very successful department, so I expect the calibre of candidates to put their name in the hat to be very high because it’s a great department to work with.”

According to Vanden Heuvel, the City will probably close the opening in mid-April, and they hope to have somebody in place this spring.

“Then we’ll have a chance for some transition time with Chief Hildebrand before his retirement. It’s an important role and being able to tap into Rich’s history and knowledge and continue with all the fantastic things the fire department has been doing, will be important.”

Vanden Heuvel also mentioned that they would consider in-house candidates, as well as candidates who may apply from around North America.

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