After standing vacant for six months, the position of deputy fire chief, prevention and inspections, has finally been filled just in time for Fire Prevention Week.
Harry Wilkins started his firefighting career as a volunteer in his hometown of Wolesley when a buddy challenged him to join up.
Later, he moved to Grenfell where he spent 15 years on the volunteer brigade.
During that time, it became apparent he wanted more.
"The more I got into it on the volunteer side, it just felt like it almost became a calling to get into the full time side of it," he explained. "I pursued it taking every course possible out there to better my abilities at becoming a full time firefighter."
Little by little, he achieve is Level II Firefighter certification and the opportunity to go pro presented itself when the Town of La Ronge advertised for a deputy chief in 2008.
That job involved doing public education, fire prevention and inspections, exactly what the job in Yorkton entails, albeit on a larger scale.
"It's obviously a bigger centre, a bigger fire service, I just felt that the time was right to make the move," Wilkins said.
But while the new job is a progression, he has yet to develop any aspirations of leading his own department.
"At this point I'm comfortable where I am right now, so I'll obviously just kind of see where it takes me from there," he said.
The deputy chief position came open when Trevor Morrisey was promoted to chief. Morrisey said it was difficult to find a qualified replacement.
"There was a lack of quality applications," he said. "The market isn't overly saturated right now with people looking to move around."
He explained there are basically two reasons for that. First, professional departments have come a long way in bringing equity to pay so people are staying longer. Second, there have been a lot of retirements as the baby boom generation moves on rather than moving around.
Ultimately they only interviewed four people.
Harry's personality is a really good fit; he's very personable," Morrisey said.
"What I was looking for was somebody who is willing to work with people. Everything else aside, being able to work with people is number one and that is what Harry is all about.
"He knows the rules, he knows the legislation and the laws, but he knows that everybody is human and that's the underlying thing that I was looking for."
When Wilkins arrived in Yorkton his first order of business was organizing Fire Prevention Week.
"The theme this year for Fire Prevention Week is Smoke Alarms Save Lives," he said, adding people should test their alarms every month.
"It's something we've been doing presentations of in the schools," he continued. "It's something we get the kids started at that level where people learn what they're taught."
Additionally, Wilkins said there are things specific to the autumn that people should be aware of.
"It's fall, obviously the leaves are falling on the ground and they accumulate around houses," he said. "When there are dry conditions and people smoke outside their houses, just ensure that the butts aren't being just tossed out the door or window especially when the leaves are accumulated around the house."
Morrisey said the timing of Wilkins' arrival was excellent.
"It's good that Harry is here for Fire Prevention Week," the chief said. "He will have an opportunity to answer questions, meet people in the community and just get out, get his feet wet and get going with the job. He's anxious, he's driven and that's what we were looking for."
He will undoubtedly get to meet a lot of people this week as the fire department's annual pancake breakfast, which draws hundreds, is tomorrow morning.
In addition to the job, Wilkins is also looking forward to his wife and two boys joining him and the opportunities the city will provide for them.
"Yorkton is nice," he said. "I've only been here a week, but from what I've seen so far, I think it's going to be a good fit for myself and my family."
He is also very impressed with the fire department.
"The facility is top notch," he said. "I'm pretty sure the guys here are the envy of other departments because it's a very nice fire house."
