Thirty-Three Year Vaughan Fire Veteran Becomes City's New Fire Chief

"On behalf of Council and the over 300,000 residents of the City of Vaughan, it is my pleasure to congratulate Chief Larry Bentley on his appointment,” said Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “Chief Bentley has dedicated his life to serving this community and keeping it safe and secure. It takes a special person with special and unique qualities to take on this important job. I know Chief Bentley will answer the call with the same level of professionalism and leadership he has demonstrated in his more than 30 years as a Vaughan firefighter. His deep commitment, affection and respect for the men and women in uniform with whom he serves makes him the ideal leader for this New Era of cooperation and mutual respect in the City of Vaughan." 

Chief Bentley has been deputy fire chief with the City of Vaughan since 2006. He was appointed interim fire chief earlier this year following the retirement of fire Chief Greg Senay. Chief Bentley is a 33-year veteran of the Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service and has worked at nearly all of the City’s 10 fire stations. After joining the Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service in 1979, Chief Bentley was promoted to the rank of captain in 1990, acting platoon chief in 1993 and deputy fire chief in 2006. 

“The members of Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service put their lives on the line every day for our residents and businesses,” said Interim City Manager Barbara Cribbett. “I would like to congratulate Chief Bentley on becoming the City’s new fire chief and thank him for his continued dedication to emergency fire response, which is essential to the safety of our community.”

Chief Bentley is a graduate of the Ontario Fire College and holds a master’s certificate in municipal management from the Schulich School of Business. He also serves as the community emergency management coordinator for the City of Vaughan.