City manager touts retiring emergency official's work
The City of Ottawa's manager of emergency and protective services will be retiring this summer.
A memo to the city's mayor and council from city manager Wendy Stephanson says Kim Ayotte will be retiring after 35 years.
“Since 2021, Kim has led the EPS team through the City's emergency response to the COVID -19 pandemic, the truck demonstration, two major explosions and several unprecedented weather events,” the memo reads. “Kim's extensive experience and leadership skills were critical in guiding the City's response to these and other emergencies.”
Ayotte has been a member of the city's emergency and protective services team since 2003, the memo says, and he served in several senior management positions before being named the department's general manager, including the city's fire chief, deputy fire chief and chief of special operations.
“During this time, Kim's analytical and disciplined manner made him indispensable in overseeing a number of cross-functional teams,” Stephanson wrote. “As Chief, Kim was also a champion of an improved recruitment strategy focusing on diversity and worked hard to ensure a safe and inclusive Fire Service for all members.”
Ayotte previously received the Governor General Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for 20 and 30 years of service, as well as
the Fire Service Long Service Medal for 25 years of service.
Stephanson said the city has begun recruiting for Ayotte's replacement,
and he will continue to serve as general manager while the recruitment process takes place.