Norm spent 36 years in the fire service. He began as a paid-on-call firefighter before becoming one of Mission’s first career firefighters, later serving as Captain and Assistant Fire Chief with responsibility for operations, training, fire prevention and emergency management. During his career, he also served one term as vice-president and two terms as president of IAFF Local 4768, representing his fellow firefighters. He also served as Mission’s Emergency Program Coordinator. In 2020, he became Deputy Fire Chief with White Rock Fire Rescue, serving for four years before retiring and returning to Mission.

Norm holds the Executive Chief Fire Officer (ECFO) designation and remains involved in mentoring and evaluating fire-service leaders pursuing the designation. He also teaches as a sessional instructor at the Justice Institute of British Columbia. During his career, Norm earned and held the Chartered Manager (C.Mgr.) designation through the Canadian Institute of Management, reflecting formal competencies in leadership, strategy, finance and organizational operations.

His municipal experience extends beyond emergency services. Norm spent nearly 25 years working part-time in parks, recreation and culture with the City of Abbotsford, giving him additional experience in municipal service delivery.

Community service has also been a longstanding part of Norm’s life. He is a founding member and vice-president of the Fire Rescue International Training Association and has participated in 15 international deployments helping train firefighters. As a past president and active member of Burnaby Urban Search and Rescue, he deployed to Nepal and Türkiye following major earthquakes.

Norm has also supported Cops for Cancer, Rotary and Muscular Dystrophy Canada for many years. He currently represents British Columbia and Yukon on Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s National Fire Fighter Relations Committee and volunteers with Mission Search and Rescue.

Since returning to Mission, Norm has served - and continues to serve, on the Mission Community Archives Advisory Committee and was appointed by Mission City Council to the City’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee.

Awards & Recognition:

Norm has received numerous honours and recognitions over decades of public service and volunteerism. Selected highlights include:

Lifetime Achievement Award — City of Mission (2026)

Recognized for longstanding volunteerism and service contributing to the betterment of Mission.

King Charles III Coronation Medal — Canadian Honour (2024)

Recipient of the Canadian commemorative medal recognizing significant contributions to Canada and local communities.

Paul Harris Fellow — Rotary International (2023)

Recognized for supporting recovery efforts following the earthquakes in Türkiye.

FRITA Day — City of Vancouver Proclamation (2025)

Named as a founding member of FRITA in the City proclamation recognizing the organization’s international firefighter training and volunteer service.

Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medallion — House of Commons Recognition (2022)

Recipient of a commemorative medallion recognizing significant community contributions during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.