Page 62 - In The Line of Fire 2023.cdr

In The Line of Fire 1990 - 2000

A tribute to

CHIEF CHARLES A. PETTMAN
September 20, 1910 - April 8th, 1994

Born in Kelowna, Charles was very active in sports
during his school years, playing basketball, soccer and lacrosse.

He joined the Kelowna Volunteer Fire Brigade in May 1933.
In 1954, after 21 years as a Volunteer, Chas became the
first paid Deputy Chief and was appointed Chief in 1958.

Throughout his long career in the Fire Department,
he was always involved in community service .

In his early years in office, Charles helped the Kelowna Fire Brigade
develop a vision for expansion to provide for the needs of the growing community.

During his term in office, in December 1970 a resolution was passed, in which the
Kelowna Fire Brigade became officially known as the Kelowna Fire Department.

During the City of Kelowna amalgamation, Chas prepared the Fire Department for
the inevitable expansion and the responsibilities from one to eight Fire Halls.
These included Rutland, Benvoulin, Okanagan Mission and Cedar Creek, and
then further expansion at Glenmore and South East Kelowna Fire Halls.

When the new Main Fire Station opened in March 1977, Chief Pettman
was responsible for the fire protection for the expanded city boundaries.
This transition was challenging in many areas in the Fire Department.
Chief Chas Pettman used his creative diplomacy to face the challenge.

Charles Arthur Pettman retired
in May 1980 and during his
illustrious career, he was called
an administrator, a diplomat
and a great community leader.

His character was described
as a man of few words...
a man of great vision...

In his written reports,
his hope was that the
esprit-de-corps would remain
for many years to come. Chas Pettman in his new office at 2255 Enterprise Way

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