Norm Gale becomes Thunder Bay acting city manager on Oct. 30

Norm Gale, the current chief paramedic with Superior North EMS, will become Thunder Bay's acting city manager, when Tim Commisso retires at the end of the month.

But Gale said he's unsure if he wants the job permanently. 

"I'm not there yet. I thoroughly enjoy my role as chief of EMS for the city and district of Thunder Bay," he told CBC News after a Thunder Bay council meeting Monday night.

"I still have passion for that job. I see this as a stretch opportunity, a growth opportunity, and we'll see what happens."

Gale said that, when he started as a paramedic, he never imagined he would eventually fill the position of acting city manager.

"I sure do appreciate the opportunity," he said.  "I look forward to the interim challenge, and I appreciate the opportunity presented to me by council. And, I look forward to continued work with the team here."

Gale, a graduate of the paramedic program at Confederation College in Thunder Bay, has been chief of Superior North EMS since April 1, 2007.

He has an honours degree in history and political science, and a Masters of Business Administration from Lakehead University. Gale has also served as chair of the Thunder Bay District Board of Health, vice-president of United Way of Thunder Bay, and president of the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs.

New acting paramedic chief

In a news release issued Tuesday morning, Superior North EMS announced that deputy chief Wayne Gates would take over as acting chief.

Gates started his paramedic career in 1986, and received the Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Medal from the Governor General of Canada in 2008.  Gates has been with Superior North EMS since May 2001, and has also held both positions of Deputy Chief Operations and Deputy Chief of Professional Standards. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Applied Business in Emergency Service.

Another city department manager unveiled

It was also announced on Tuesday that Kerri Marshall is the new general manager of Thunder Bay's Infrastructure and Operations department.

Marshall as been acting in the role since June. She is the former director of the city's Environment Division.

The news release stated Marshall is a nationally recognized professional engineer with nearly two decades of experience in the administration, design, construction and operation of public waste, wastewater, solid waste, transportation and parks infrastructure. She also holds an MBA. 

Meanwhile, the city of Thunder Bay is continuing its search for a permanent city manager.