The City of Steinbach now has a new emergency coordinator.

Dennis Vassart was hired as the city's emergency coordinator exactly 16 years ago on March 15th, 2004. He notes he had a good run.

"Great place to work, I have managed to work with some very great people over the 16 years and we've put together a plan for the city and we hope it stands up if we ever have an emergency. It is like buying insurance, you pay for it every year and hope you never have to make a claim so this is basically the same thing."

Vassart says he is excited to have more time on his hands, but he isn’t moving out of town so he will still be around if there are questions. With Fire Chief Kel Toews being named the city’s new emergency coordinator, Vassart says the role is in good hands.

Kel Toews says Dennis Vassart is a bit of a legend in the emergency coordinator world and he is leaving behind big shoes to fill.

"It is quite a bit of pressure to carry on that level of work but I am glad that Dennis has laid the groundwork. He basically started the program in Steinbach it is being used as a template across the province. I am proud to be taking over from him."

Toews adds the duties of the emergency coordinator position will mesh nicely with his duties as fire chief.