City of Oshawa celebrates Fire Chief Derrick Clark’s outstanding career

Oshawa Fire Chief Derrick Clark, currently the longest-standing member of Oshawa Fire Services (O.F.S.), is set to retire at the end of July after a career spanning nearly four decades with the department.

Chief Clark’s tremendous work ethic, commitment and leadership skills were key to his success in rising through the ranks with Oshawa Fire Services. He began leading as Fire Chief in December 2016, but held a variety of other roles within the organization since his hiring in 1986. The Chief began his career as an alarm room operator/dispatch and then moved on to become a firefighter. He was promoted through the ranks and held the positions of Acting Captain, Training Officer, Chief Training Officer and Deputy Fire Chief before being appointed Fire Chief.

Throughout his storied career, Chief Clark has been awarded the:

• Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada in 2022, awarded to members of Canadian fire services who exemplify good conduct, industry and efficiency and have dedicated more than 20 years of service;
• Fire Chief of the Year award by the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs in 2022 for his outstanding leadership and making a difference in the industry;
• Champion of Mental Health award by the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment in 2021 for his passion and commitment to supporting mental health and well-being; and,
• Firefighter of the Year award by Oshawa Fire Services in 2002 for exceptional job performance.

Chief Clark has epitomized continuous improvement for not only himself through ongoing learning and development, but also for Oshawa Fire Services and the Oshawa community. Under Chief Clark, Oshawa Fire Services has:

• led the development of a new Fire Master Plan and Community Risk Assessment, bringing on key staff including the Chief Communications Officer, Assistant Deputy Chief, Business Analyst, and additional Fire Prevention staff;
• opened the City’s new state-of-the-art training facility that provides elite firefighting training on multiple simulations such as fire behaviour, search and rescue, ventilation and technical rescue;
• entered into partnerships to expand advanced programs for PTSD awareness and support for the Department and to enhance access to mental health services for OFS staff;
• expanded O.F.S.’s medical services to include the use of Naloxone that can reverse opioid overdoses;
• overhauled the O.F.S. recruitment process, with the last graduating class of 2023 being the largest in the department’s history at 28;
• coordinated emergency response throughout the COVID-19 pandemic;
• introduced a new state-of-the-art Computer Aided Dispatch program for the Fire Dispatch Centre which is scheduled to be operational in 2024;
• spearheaded enhancement to public safety with the Alarmed for Life program, which drastically improved smoke alarm compliance within the city;
• obtained O.F.S.’s first combination Aerial /Platform truck and Rescue 21 Rapid Response Vehicle to be stationed at Fire Hall #1 to improve firefighter safety and emergency response;
• as Chief of Training, developed enhanced technical rescue systems in Rope, Trench, Confined Space, Hazardous Materials and Water Rescue that are now used today by many Fire Departments within the Region;
• introduced public safety programs including What Three Words as well as PulsePoint, an app that advises when someone in a nearby public place requires CPR and provides information on where to find the closest public automated external defibrillator (AED);
• updated City by-laws and brought them in line with enhanced public safety measures related to fire services;
• led the creation of the @OshawaFire Twitter account as a successful communication channel for OFS and the City;
• created strong local partnerships and collaborations between Oshawa Fire Services and local post-secondary institutions, Lakeridge Health, General Motors, Camp Molly, Wounded Warriors, Durham Region Critical Incident Stress Support Team, other fire services and first responder organizations; and more.

Additional professional achievements for Chief Clark during his long-spanning career with Oshawa Fire Services include:

• served as the secretary-treasurer for the Oshawa Professional Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 465, which included ushering in digital accounting and exposure safety systems and coordinating the design and introduction of the OFS shoulder flash that is used today;
• highly active in community and organization fundraising, led a successful 9/11 campaign for the New York Fire Department that raised $165,000 by selling $10 t-shirts across the country;
• implemented cancer protection equipment for firefighters;
• a lifelong learner, achieved CMM III Fire Service Executive, completed a Masters Certificate in Municipal Management from Ontario Tech University as well as the Executive Program in Municipal Management from York University (Schulich ExecEd), and achieved a multitude certifications within the Fire Service.

Oshawa City Council and the City of Oshawa are pleased to announce that Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Barkwell will succeed Chief Clark as the new Fire Chief effective August 1, 2023.

Deputy Chief Barkwell joined Oshawa Fire Services as a firefighter in 1999 and rose through the ranks in various positions including Qualified Training Officer and Acting Captain. He was active with the Oshawa Professional Fire Fighters Association I.A.F.F. Local 465 including as vice-president and president. In January 2018, he was appointed as Oshawa Fire Services Deputy Fire Chief.

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“The City of Oshawa thanks Chief Clark for his commitment and dedication to Oshawa Fire Services and the great City of Oshawa. Chief Clark has revolutionized Fire Services in our city, enhancing fire protection and emergency services for our residents and businesses and advancing elite training for our firefighters. Chief Clark’s successful visionary leadership will ensure that his contributions to our city continue to contribute to the community’s safety long after his retirement day passes,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter. “Oshawa City Council and the businesses and residents of our great city thank you for your dedicated service to us over the past 38 years. Enjoy your retirement and all the exciting adventures ahead of you.”