Fire chief suddenly leaves post in Mississauga

Mississauga’s highly decorated fire chief, named best at her position in Ontario in 2023, has suddenly left the post.

In an email statement to INsauga.com on Thursday morning, a City of Mississauga spokesperson wrote that as of March 31, “Deryn Rizzi is no longer the director of emergency services and fire chief for the City of Mississauga. We wish her well in her future endeavours.”

The city provided no additional details surrounding the departure of Rizzi, who rose through the ranks of Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services to become deputy chief in 2013 and then chief in 2018.

In 2023, Rizzi received Ontario’s highest honour for public service, the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal of Distinction in Public Administration, and was also named Fire Chief of the Year by the Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association. In 2022, she was included on Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 list by WXN (Women’s Executive Network).

The Lieutenant Governor’s Medal of Distinction recognized the former Mississauga fire chief’s “commitment to inclusion, accountability and service delivery.”

The city spokesperson said former Mississauga deputy fire chief Stephane Malo will serve as acting fire chief until a permanent replacement is named.

“Acting chief Malo has served since 1996 with Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services, including five years in the role of deputy chief. He is ready to step into this important role.”

(Cover photo: Former Mississauga fire chief Deryn Rizzi is shown with award after being named top fire chief in Ontario in 2023)