Resignation of Chief John Thompson of Toronto

Resignation of Chief John Thompson of Toronto

In view of his long service, nearly forty years in the Toronto, Canada, fire department, four members of the Board of Control favored the resignation of Chief Engineer John Thompson. He resigned on a pension basis of half his salary of $4,500 per year. The Board of Control recommended to the Council six months leave of absence, the pension to commence at the expiration of that time. “To the new chief, when appointed, may be left the duty of reorganizing the department,” said Comptroller Foster. Mayor Church and others spoke highly of Chief Thompson. The mayor said: “The chief has always had the highest ideals and the interests of the citizens and the force at heart.” Comptroller Foster, after the chief’s resignation, said: “There is no doubt the chief has done good work in the department during the past few years,” and also said “that at his time in life the chief should not be assuming the risks of fire fighting but should be enjoying a retired life in the bosom of his family.” In his letter of resignation. Chief Thompson paid the following tribute to the department: “It is with sincere regret that I sever my connection with the officers and men of the Fire Department, who are, as a whole, in my opinion, a splendid body of men and a credit to the city, and my earnest prayer is that an Almighty Providence may be their protection and defence in the discharge of their dangerous duties.” Chief Thompson entered the Fire Department as a branchman in the Berkeley Street Fire Hall in 1876, and after one year’s service was promoted to the position of foreman at the Wilton Avenue Fire Station. He remained in that position until he was promoted to the position of district chief and stationed at the Lombard Street Station in 1887. When the late Chief Ardagh died he was promoted o the position of deputy chief of the department, a place he occupied until the late Chief Graham retired from the head of the department in 1899, when he became the head of the department.

Originally ran in Volume 57, Issue 5.