The Alnwick/Haldimand Township Fire Department is looking for a Fire Chief – again.
Fire Chief Mark Diminie was turfed from his position on Monday, January 18, 2021.
Today’s Northumberland reached out to Diminie who stated, “I didn’t go there for the money, or to build an empire or for any personal benefit. I went down to help them out. I felt the entire Township was headed in the right direction for nearly two years, but since they had a change in senior management I felt a huge shift and everything we tried to achieve in the fire department turned into a battle.”
“The frustrating part of was most of it was due to lack of communication, lack of understanding of the fire service and ultimately council did not do their due diligence to find out the truth.”
Diminie was hired as Fire Chief of Alnwick/Haldimand Township in May 2018.
Today’s Northumberland received an e-mail the former Chief had sent to the firefighters upon his dismissal.
“Well. They got me!!!
What I mean by that is the Township decided to relieve me of my duties this morning. To say I was shocked would be a lie. I have seen this coming for months now. Things really started going bad for me and the department when Gail took over as Mayor and they hired the new treasurer.
I know I have mentioned to a few of you of the issues I was having with Council and the treasurer. Every day seemed like a fight with them. Ironically the last one I had with them was about the Association. I stood up for you guys, your Association and your rights to negotiate an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding). I didn’t back down when (they) challenged me and said it was my responsibility to negotiate for you and the Association. They didn’t like that. The worst thing is they don’t want listen or have any dialogue on the issue. I support you guys 100% on what you are trying to achieve. Don’t let them bully you, you are totally within your rights to do what you are asking for. Stick together, you are stronger as a group. It benefits them to keep you disorganized!
Ok. Enough about them and the negative spin they have put everything.
I would like to thank you all for your support of the past couple of years. You were the reason I came to A/H and I loved working with you. I have the utmost admiration for you all!! I will miss seeing you in the station and the scene of a call. You made me one of your own and your friendship means a great deal to me.
Stay strong. Stay safe. Do it for the right reasons!
Mark”
Today’s Northumberland has received numerous messages from firefighters in Alnwick/Haldimand Township supportive of Diminie.
“He has been the most respected Fire Chief we have ever had,” said one firefighter stating it was no disrespect to previous chiefs.
Another stated, “he was very well liked by all firefighters.”
Diminie retired after 30-years with the Cobourg Fire Department. He served as President of the Local Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association for approximately 15-years.
There has been no comment as of press time from Alnwick/Haldimand Township.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
