Acting Fire Chief Bruce Ferguson Retires

After 41 years serving the Township of Langley, Acting Fire Chief Bruce Ferguson retires.

Bruce Ferguson began his career in the fire service on January 14, 1982, when he was accepted into the Aldergrove Volunteer Fire Department which later became known as the Township of Langley Fire Department Fire Hall #3.  He and his wife had purchased their first home together and a good friend of theirs Brian Miller, a Fort Langley Fire Department member convinced Bruce that becoming a volunteer firefighter would really suit his lifestyle.

Once active in the fire department it only took a matter of months and it was in Bruce’s blood and he could see himself doing this for the rest of his working life.

He decided to complete his formal education and take any education / training that the Fire Department was offering and began applying to every opportunity that arose.

He was working as a manager at a local bulk haul transportation company when he got the call to report to work as the career District Fire Chief at Fire Hall 7 in the Otter District on February 2nd, 1998.  He spent 7 years as the District Fire Chief at Hall 7 and in January of 2005 transferred to Fire Hall #3 in Aldergrove.  Almost home but to a new location and firehall.

In 2006, the Township’s first career suppression crew were hired and went to Willoughby Hall # 4 followed in 2007 by a career crew in Aldergrove making Bruce the second District Chief with career firefighters under his direction.

In 2008, he was the successful applicant for the Assistant Fire Chief of Operations and moved to the administration hall in Murrayville Fire Hall # 6 under then Fire Chief Doug Wade.

During Fire Chief Stephen Gambles tenure as Fire Chief, he promoted the Assistant Fire Chief(s) of Operations and Training to Deputy Fire Chiefs and Bruce became Deputy Fire Chief-Operations.

After Chief Gamble’s retirement Bruce became the Acting Fire Chief until the Hiring of Fire Chief Jason de Roy.

During his 41 years with the Township of Langley Fire Department Bruce served under eight Mayors including Bill Blair, Elford Nundell, John Beals, John Scholtens, Kurt Alberts, Rick Green, Jack Froese and Eric Woodward.

At the same time, he worked under every Fire Chief of the Township of Langley Fire Department, Gordon Yerkie, Wayne Markel, Terry Metcalfe, Doug Wade, Stephen Gamble and currently Jason de Roy.

During his personal time Bruce has always enjoyed spending time with his family - wife Maureen, daughters Tiffany and Robin, their respective spouses Matthew Sitter, and David Preece, grandson Tysen Sitter, granddaughters Isabella and Mya Sitter, Cole, Haden and Lily Preece.

Bruce says he owe his success to the unwavering support from Councils past and present, the support of Mark Bakken and the Township of Langley administration staff, all his work colleges and most importantly his wife and family.

Bruce is not sure what retirement will bring for him, but he knows it will be filled with fond memories and stories of his 41 years with this Department.