North Saanich Fire Chief Impersonation Sparks RCMP Investigation

URGENT UPDATE: The North Saanich council has reached out to the RCMP after a suspicious email surfaced, allegedly from Fire Chief John Trelford, currently on leave. This incident follows recent turmoil within the fire department, including the resignation of 13 members, raising serious concerns about the department’s integrity.

On September 27, 2023, Mayor and council members received a letter signed by Trelford addressing recent headlines about the North Saanich Fire Department, including an article detailing significant resignations. However, councillor Jack McClintock flagged the email as potentially fraudulent due to an unusual sender address. “I contacted his son to see, ‘Do you know anything about this? Would John have done this?'” McClintock stated.

Later that day, Ryan Trelford, John Trelford’s son, confirmed that the letter was not authored by his father. “This letter came to my attention earlier today, and I wanted to let you know that it was not written by my father,” Ryan wrote in an email sent to local media, including the Peninsula News Review.

The contested letter sought to clarify concerns raised in the review about the fire department’s health, asserting that while the article highlighted the departure of 13 members, many left for “natural reasons.” However, sources indicated that at least seven firefighters departed due to management issues and low morale.

The letter also claimed that many current challenges faced by the department were rooted in prior administration decisions. It emphasized that the recent resignations have not compromised service levels, stating that efforts are focused on modernizing operations and enhancing training.

McClintock revealed that numerous resigned firefighters have approached him with concerns in recent weeks. “What I’m hearing is concerning enough that I’ll have to follow up on it,” he said. He also noted that other councillors have engaged with both former and current firefighters to understand the situation better.

In light of the impersonation claim, McClintock has formally contacted the RCMP to investigate potential impersonation or political interference. “I’m concerned enough about this email that I felt it was inappropriate, and I’m asking the RCMP for direction,” he confirmed.

This developing situation could have significant implications for the North Saanich Fire Department as community members seek transparency and accountability. As the investigation unfolds, all eyes will be on the RCMP to determine the legitimacy of the impersonated email and its impact on the department’s future.

Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available. Share this urgent news with your network to keep others informed!