Blake Ellis/The Independent

There has been a changing of the guard at the Oil Springs-South Enniskillen Fire Department, but with a familiar face.

Mike Cumming was appointed as fire chief at the Oil Springs council meeting on May 6 with the passage of a bylaw. Former Fire Chief Al Charlton retired on March 30, leaving the position vacant.

While Cumming became the fire chief upon the passage of the bylaw, his appointment will only be until Dec. 31, when council will need to make another decision on who will head the department.

Cumming is no stranger to the fire chief position, having been first appointed to lead the Oil Springs and South Enniskillen Fire Department in 2015. At that time, Charlton was made the deputy chief. Charlton then succeeded Cummings.

The Township of Enniskillen has also passed the same bylaw, as both municipalities contribute to the fire department.

“Al did a fantastic job as chief,” said Mayor Ian Veen. “He will be missed.”

He called this a transition period for the fire department. “Bringing Mike.Cumming in gives some continuity for the department. Mike was a good chief too and during this transition, he will be a good fit,” says Veen.

As far as the end date of Dec. 31, Veen hopes to leave that open, hopefully Cumming will want to stay. Cumming did mention that the job would be temporary when he agrees to take it on. Veen said Charlton has served the department for 34 years becoming chief in either 2019 or 2020.

Cumming has also been with the department for 35 years.