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To kick off 2025, we’re bringing you an interview with Jim Jessop, the newly appointed fire chief and general manager of Toronto Fire Services. Join host and retired fire chief Tom DeSorcy as Jessop recounts his 30-year career, highlighting key mentors and experiences that shaped his leadership. He discusses significant changes in the fire service, including improved safety equipment and stronger fire code enforcement. Jessop addresses the challenges facing Toronto Fire Services, emphasizing collaboration and proactive well-being initiatives for his staff. Finally, he offers advice to aspiring fire chiefs, stressing the importance of teamwork and seeking diverse perspectives. This episode is brought to you by VFIS of Canada. A division of CVIS incorporated , Canada’s largest insurer of firefighters since 1991.
Jim Jessop
Jim is a dynamic and dedicated fire service professional with nearly 30 years of progressive experience in firefighting, emergency response, and fire safety management. Jim began his career at the City in 1996 as a Firefighter. In 2001, he joined the City of Niagara Falls Fire Department where he rose through the ranks to the position of Deputy Fire Chief. In 2013, he became Deputy Fire Chief in London, Ontario before joining the Province of Ontario a year later, first as Deputy Fire Marshal then promoted to Assistant Deputy Minister – Fire Marshal and Chief, Emergency Management of Ontario. Jim returned to the City of Toronto in 2015 as Deputy Chief/Director Community Risk Reduction. Since his return, he has also assumed a number of Acting leadership roles including Acting Fire Chief and General Manager from August 2020 – April 2022.
Among his many accomplishments at the City, Jim led the development of the 2021 and 2022 Toronto Fire Service Capital and Operating Budgets, was the Fire Services lead for collective bargaining in 2018 and 2024, championed the review of recruitment and promotion processes which resulted in an increase of applicants from equity deserving groups between 2021 to 2023 and served as the Senior Officer at several large-scale emergencies and events. Jim is a proven leader with a strong track record in labour relations, operational command, training and development and community risk reduction.
In his new role as Fire Chief, Jim will oversee all aspects of TFS, the largest fire service in Canada, and uphold its mission to protect life, property and the environment through education, prevention and emergency response.
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