Chief James Waffle joined Windsor Fire & Rescue Services in 1997 as a probationary firefighter.
Chief Waffle was promoted to Fire Chief on January 1, 2025 and is also the Essex County Mutual Aid Coordinator and the Community Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Windsor.
Chief Waffle’s experience in the Fire Service spans over 30 years. He has served as a Firefighter, Training Officer, Acting Captain, Chief Training Officer, Acting District Chief, and Acting Assistant Chief. In 2018, he was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief. As Deputy Fire Chief his responsibilities included oversight of Fire Rescue Operations, Training, the HazMat and Structural Collapse (USAR) Teams, and he has served as alternate Community Emergency Management Coordinator and alternate Essex County Mutual Aid Coordinator.
Chief Waffle has completed his Fire Service Administration: Advanced Leadership certificate and an Incident Command certificate from Dalhousie University. He also earned his accreditation as a Certified Municipal Manager: Fire Service Executive through the Ontario Municipal Management Institute.
