New chief with over 20 years experience takes command of Brampton Fire and Emergency Services

Brampton’s new fire chief is a veteran with over 20 years experience across Ontario.

The city announced on Wednesday that Brampton Fire and Emergency Services’ Nick Ruller has been selected to replace Bill Boyes as chief, who is now Brampton’s Commissioner of Community Services.

Ruller has served as Brampton’s Acting Deputy Fire Chief since 2022 and spent the last seven years of a more than two-decades-long firefighting career in leadership roles, the city says.

Now-former Chief Boyes said his replacement has the vision and leadership skills “to ensure BFES is a progressive public safety leader and provides exceptional service to all those the live, work, study and play in our community.”

Before joining BFES, Rulleras Fire Chief for Niagara-on-the-Lake and worked in other municipalities including the City of Toronto.

His qualifications include a Master of Arts in Leadership from the University of Guelph and several specialized certificates, including an Advanced Certificate in Public Administration from Toronto Metropolitan University, and completion of the Independent Study Program through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Institute.

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“Nick has demonstrated strong leadership throughout his career and I have no doubt he will continue to drive innovation and excellence in Brampton’s fire services, ensuring the highest level of safety for our residents,” Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said in a statement.

Ruller is also a volunteer firefighter and local softball coach, and his appointment “reflects his deep commitment to public safety and his vast expertise across various sectors of fire services,” the city says.