Central York Fire Services (CYFS) is a full time Fire Department that provides protection to the Town of Aurora and the Town of Newmarket, in York Region, Ontario, Canada. CYFS serves a combined population of approximately 146,000 and covers an area of 90 square kilometres. The department responds to approximately 5,000 emergency calls each year.
CYFS respond to many types of emergencies:
- Fires
- Emergency medical incidents
- Car accidents
- Dangerous chemical incidents
CYFS also provides public education, enforce the
Ontario Fire Code and investigate the causes of fires, among other services.
Central York Fire Services Senior Staff
Fire Chief - Rocco Volpe
Fire Chief Rocco Volpe was appointed to his role in September 2024, bringing with him nearly a decade of leadership experience within Central York Fire Services (CYFS) and over 25 years of fire service. He first joined CYFS as Deputy Fire Chief in 2015, leading both the Operations and Support Services divisions, serving as an alternate Community Emergency Management Coordinator, and most recently providing continuity of leadership as Acting Fire Chief since December 2023. With a strong background in fire service leadership and administration, Chief Volpe holds a Master’s Certificate in Municipal Leadership from the Schulich School of Business at York University, as well as diplomas in Fire Service Administration and Fire Service Leadership from Dalhousie University.
He has earned the prestigious Executive Chief Fire Officer Designation from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs and holds a 1021 Fire Officer IV certification, along with numerous other National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) certifications. Beyond his role at CYFS, Chief Volpe is actively involved in the community. He sits on the St. John Ambulance York Region Branch Board of Directors. As the third Fire Chief since the amalgamation of Aurora and Newmarket’s fire services in 2002, Chief Volpe continues to lead CYFS with a commitment to excellence in fire safety, emergency response, and community service.
Deputy Fire Chief of Operations - Daniel Waters
Deputy Chief of Operations Daniel Waters was appointed to his role on December 23rd, 2024. A dedicated member of Central York Fire Services (CYFS) since 1996, he has progressed through the ranks from Firefighter to Platoon Chief, a position he held from 2017 until his current appointment. In addition to his leadership at CYFS, Waters has been an instructor with the Ontario Fire Academy since 2023, where he provides both theoretical and practical training to pre-service firefighters, preparing them for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Firefighter Level I & II examinations.
Before joining CYFS, he served as a volunteer firefighter with the Town of Orangeville from 1995 to 2008. His extensive educational background includes a Bachelor of Public Safety Administration from the Justice Institute of British Columbia, along with certifications in Fire Service Leadership and Fire Service Administration from Dalhousie University. He also holds the Executive Fire Service Officer Aspire designation from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, a recognition of his professional excellence in training, leadership, and service. Waters brings a wealth of experience and expertise to CYFS, ensuring the highest standards of fire safety, emergency response, and leadership within the community.
Deputy Fire Chief of Community Risk & Public Education - Lorianne Zwicker
Central York Fire Services (CYFS) is proud to reaffirm its commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion by announcing the appointment of Lorianne Zwicker as Deputy Fire Chief of Community Risk & Public Education. Zwicker makes history as the first female Deputy Fire Chief at CYFS. Zwicker has an impressive background in fire prevention, risk assessment, and community education.
She developed Ontario's first live-data Community Risk Assessment and Community Risk Reduction Plan. Before joining CYFS, she served as Deputy Fire Chief with Georgina Fire & Rescue Services and as Chief Fire Prevention Officer with Barrie Fire & Emergency Services. Additionally, her tenure at Toronto Fire Services as Captain in Training contributed to the creation of the Operations-Based Re-Inspection Program. Beyond her operational roles, Zwicker is dedicated to fire service education. She is a professor at Seneca College and an Ontario Fire College Adjunct Instructor. She holds a Certified Municipal Manager III (CMMIII) designation with enhancements in Fire Prevention Professional and Fire Services Professional, reflecting her expertise and commitment to the field.
Assistant Deputy Chief - Claude Duval
Assistant Deputy Chief Claude Duval was appointed to his current position in 2016 and brings over 29 years of experience in the fire service. He presently oversees the Training Division of Central York Fire Services and serves as the Community Emergency Management Coordinator for the Towns of Newmarket and Aurora. Chief Duval began his career in 1996 with Kingston Fire and Rescue, where over an eighteen-year tenure he progressed from Paid-on-Call Firefighter to Career Firefighter and ultimately to Acting Captain. In 2014, he joined Central York Fire Services as a Training Officer, prior to his promotion to Assistant Deputy Chief.
In addition to his civilian service, Assistant Deputy Chief Duval has completed twelve years of military duty. He has delivered classroom and hands on programs both provincially and internationally. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration from Western University and is certified as NFPA Fire Officer IV. Furthermore, he has earned the Certified Municipal Manager Level III (CMMIII) designation, with enhancements as Fire Service Executive, Fire Training Professional, and Fire Suppression Professional.
History of Central York Fire Services
The Town of Aurora Fire Department and the Town of Newmarket Fire Department were consolidated in January of 2002. The consolidation was a very successful collaboration by the two Towns, management of the fire departments and the two labour representatives - the Aurora Professional Firefighters Association and the Newmarket Professional Firefighters Association. As a consequence of this forward thinking decision to consolidate the fire services resources available, the two Towns have benefited from a professional fire service that is equipped and trained to provide a comprehensive range of emergency services. Central York Fire Services ranks in size among the top twenty fulltime fire services in Ontario
The Town of Aurora and the Town of Newmarket are protected by a fire service that is able to respond effectively, professionally and competently to a wide range of emergencies and hazards and to provide comprehensive public safety education programs, fire safety inspections and investigations of fire incidents.
