Calgary Fire Chief Steve Dongworth will retire after more than five decades in the fire service, stepping down after 11 years leading the Calgary Fire Department (CFD). At 69, Dongworth takes with him a long record of front-line experience, institutional knowledge and the memory of colleagues lost in the line of duty.
Long career, difficult memories
Dongworth joined the Calgary Fire Department in 1992 and became the city’s chief 11 years ago. Before moving to Calgary he fought fires in the United Kingdom. His tenure has been marked by both operational responses and the responsibilities of running one of Canada’s largest municipal fire services.
In an interview, Dongworth recounted a haunting episode from his early years in Calgary: the July 1992 fire at the 17th Avenue Inn, where firefighter Morley James died. Reflecting on that morning, Dongworth said the scene was unforgettable.
“It was sobering for sure,” Dongworth said, describing stepping through charred remains hours after the fatal blaze.
Dongworth described how James had entered the burning building searching for victims, continued to fight the blaze after his hose line was exhausted and was overcome by heat and fumes when his air supply became critically low. The memory of that loss formed part of Dongworth’s understanding of the risks firefighters face and the stakes of leadership in the service.
Recognition and legacy
Last month, Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas publicly recognised Dongworth’s half-century of service during a Stampede event. The mayor’s acknowledgement underlines Dongworth’s profile in the community and the high regard in which he is held by civic leadership.
During his career Dongworth has emphasised the team aspect of firefighting. “People love their firefighters and it’s not about me,” he said. “It’s about the folks that show up.” The sentiment reflects a professional culture built on collective response and mutual reliance, values that will shape the transition that follows his departure.
What the change means for Calgary
Few details have been released about the city’s succession plan. For Calgary residents, the retirement of a long-serving chief touches on several practical considerations:
- Leadership continuity: The CFD will need a chief who can maintain operational readiness and morale across the service.
- Institutional knowledge: Dongworth’s experience—particularly from major incidents and long-term staffing decisions—represents tacit knowledge that the department must capture and preserve.
- Public confidence: The choice of a successor will be watched by city officials and residents who expect reliable emergency response and transparent oversight.
Authorities have not provided a timeline for naming a successor. The transition will require balancing experience and fresh perspectives as Calgary continues to grow and face evolving risks, from structural fires to complex multi-agency emergencies.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 69 |
| Service with CFD | Joined 1992 |
| Years as chief | 11 |
| Total career | Approximately 50 years in the fire service |
As chief, Dongworth has been a public face for the department, attending community events and operational briefings and representing Calgary in intermunicipal and national conversations about firefighting standards and emergency preparedness. His departure will require city managers and the Calgary Fire Department to ensure an orderly handover and to reaffirm commitments to training, firefighter safety and public protection.
For many in the service, the 17th Avenue Inn remains a touchstone. Dongworth’s recounting of that loss and his repeated emphasis on the team that “shows up” are reminders that leadership in Calgary’s fire service is as much about stewardship of people as it is about incident command. The coming selection process for a new chief will be an early test of how the city preserves that stewardship while moving forward.
