Chief Fire Prevention Officer Ryan Schell manages and provides leadership for the fire prevention division, which focuses on public education and enforces the Ontario Fire Code through inspections and investigations.

Chief Schell began his career in the fire service in 2001 with the former Aurora Fire Department as a Fire Prevention Inspector.  He continued in his role after the amalgamation with the Newmarket Fire Department to form Central York Fire Services until 2008 when he was promoted to Captain and most recently Chief of Fire Prevention in April 2016.  In addition to the Fire Department, Chief Schell was also dedicated to his role as an Instructor at Seneca College from 2005 to 2007.

Chief Schell is a Certified Municipal Manager III Fire Service Professional & Fire Prevention Professional.  He received his diplomas in fire prevention from the Ontario Fire College Fire Prevention Officer Program and the Seneca College Advanced three year Fire Protection Engineering Technology Program.  Chief Schell is an NFPA certified 1021 Fire Officer II, 1031 Fire Inspector II, 1033 Fire Investigator, 1035 Public Information Officer, 1035 Fire and Life Safety Educator II and 1041 Fire Instructor II.  In addition to his NFPA certifications, He also is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) and a Building Code Inspector for fire protection (BCIN).  In April 2017 he graduated from Dalhousie University earning his certificate in Fire Service Leadership.

Chief Schell currently serves as the Secretary for the York Region Fire Prevention Officers Association (YRFPOA), Chapter 3 of the Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association (OMFPOA).

On June 7th 2023, Chief Ryan Schell received the Al Suleman Award for fire prevention employee of the year in the Province of Ontario.

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