Remo Faedo has been named the interim fire chief of Port Moody Fire Department among burning questions about its management.
Foremost among those concerns is the whereabouts of Fire Chief Jeff Lambert as rumours of his possible departure continue to swirl within the department and at city hall.
Neither Lambert nor his two deputy fire chiefs, Remo Faedo and Gord Parker, would return calls from The Tri-City News over the past week, fuelling rumours that a shake-up was under way at the department.
In response to questions from The News last week about Lambert's whereabouts, a city official said he was on vacation.
Yesterday, Port Moody city manager Gaetan Royer would only say: "Mr. Lambert is absent and Deputy Chief Remo Faedo is acting fire chief."
Port Moody firefighters' union spokesperson Rob Suzukovich also declined comment on rumours of Lambert's departure.
On May 2, the city sent letters to four senior Port Moody fire captains, seeking expressions of interest in an early-retirement buyout package that included a $25,000 one-time payment.
Chief Lambert's absence comes amid tensions between the city and fire department regarding differences of opinion about the size and location of the planned replacement fire hall No. 1.
tcoyne@tricitynews.com
