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Sault Ste. Marie Fire Chief Peter Johnson Retires After 30 Years of Service
Sault Ste. Marie is preparing for a major leadership change as longtime Fire Chief Peter Johnson retires at the end of the month, closing out a career that spans roughly three decades with the city’s fire service.
Johnson began as a frontline firefighter in the mid-1990s and worked his way through every rank, eventually becoming chief 8 years ago. Throughout his career, he was known for steady leadership, a calm presence during emergencies, and a commitment to improving training, operations, and community safety. City officials have publicly recognized the impact of his work, noting that his retirement marks the end of an important era for the department.
With Johnson stepping down, the city launched a recruitment process that included both internal and external candidates. Over a two-week period, interviews were conducted by a selection committee. After reviewing qualifications and experience, the committee unanimously selected Deputy Fire Chief Naomi Thibault as the next leader of Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services.
Thibault has spent the past 10 years working in a wide range of roles within the department. She joined in 2015 as the community emergency management coordinator and later worked in emergency planning, fire prevention, public education, and fire-prevention enforcement. In April 2023, she became deputy chief for fire prevention, education, and emergency management. City leadership praised her collaborative approach, problem-solving skills, and the trust she has built among colleagues. She has also taught an Introduction to Fire Services course at Sault College for the past two years, contributing to the development of future firefighters. She will be the youngest and first female Fire Chief in Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services history.
Her appointment is expected to take effect on February 1, immediately following Johnson’s retirement.
