Our Leadership

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. 

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.