Photo: Okanagan Falls Fire Department

Two newly appointed fire chiefs will take charge at the Okanagan Falls and Willowbrook volunteer fire departments.

Patrick Lantz is the new fire chief at Willowbrook Fire Department and Rob Oliver has accepted the position in Okanagan Falls.

Lantz is a resident of the area and has been an active member of the WFD for 12 years.

He is an experienced fire officer who previously held the positions of truck captain, training captain and deputy fire chief within the department. He took over from Brad Fossett, who has served as fire chief for the past five years.

Oliver has been an active member of the OKFD for 35 years and is an experienced fire officer who previously held the positions of firefighter, training captain and deputy fire chief within the department.

"Mr. Oliver is a dedicated fire officer who is passionate about helping people and has a strong history of community safety involvement,” said  Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen chair, Karla Kozakevich.

Oliver is taking over for Bob Haddow who has served as fire chief for the past 50 years.

The Osoyoos Fire Department also has a new chief; Ryan McCaskill was elected to the post earlier this month.