New Halifax fire chief prepares to set priorities for a growing city facing tight finances

Deryn Rizzi, Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency’s newly appointed fire chief, seen before an interview in Dartmouth August 19, 2026. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentDeryn Rizzi, who started as Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency’s new chief this week, refuses to blow smoke when talking about the municipality’s fiscal reality. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentBut she said her experience as an administrator, not to mention her fierce passion for fire service, will help guide Canada’s oldest fire department through the work ahead. Article contentArticle content“If you look at these types of opportunities in Canada, they don’t come across very often,” Rizzi told The Chronicle Herald from a Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency (HRFE) boardroom in Dartmouth’s Alderney Landing. Article contentArticle content“Working at HRFE is a lifetime honour, a privilege, and the reason for that is if you take a look at our fire service, it’s an all-hazards fire department. It has a massive scope.” Article contentHRFE covers a huge geographic area, which Rizzi said adds a level of interest as it’s serviced by a mix of 1,100 career and volunteer firefighters. There are 51 stations spread across 5,500 square kilometres, with all the logistical needs to match a municipality that continues to grow. Article contentAnd that’s where Rizzi feels she can help most. Article content‘What I do is very administrative’ Article contentRizzi joins HRFE after a career that spans leading fire services at Toronto Pearson International Airport and the City of Mississauga and the City of Vaughan in Ontario. Article contentWhile working as fire chief in Mississauga, she oversaw a staff of 830, had an annual budget of over $170 million and led significant organizational changes, specifically around aging infrastructure and bringing in data-driven systems. Article contentShe said she ended up asking the City of Mississauga for $100 million to modernize and maintain fire services once she was armed with a sweeping review of the department. Article contentArticle contentWhen asked if she needs to introduce similar changes to HRFE, Rizzi said she’s beginning an assessment of the service’s infrastructure and operations, while acknowledging HRM’s fiscal constraints. Article contentArticle contentDon’t expect her to ask for a fire truck full of money this budget season: her ask, she said, will come in time. Article content“I need to be very honest. This budget is going in with what the team has and knows right now. As we go more in depth (in our assessment), I will feel more confident going in front of the mayor and council because you only want to do the big ask once,” she explained. Article content Deryn Rizzi joins Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency after a career that spans leading fire services at Toronto Pearson International Airport, the City of Mississauga and the City of Vaughan. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle content“That will come next year after an assessment period and after we have time to really look at our equipment, our fleet strategy, our infrastructure, but also taking a look at our staff deployment model.Article content“As you know, we’re in a very tight financial situation. That’s the state of the world. I have a fiduciary duty to the taxpayers, the mayor and members of council to ensure I am running a fire service effectively within the budget that’s been prescribed to me but understanding that Halifax is a growing city.”