‘So much has evolved in firefighting – but you still need to act as a team’
After almost three decades at Pearson, Fire Chief Todd Aitken is leaving for new challenges. He reflects on how incident response has changed, his early career as a pilot – and how Pearson soars in firefighting competitions.
TODD AITKEN
Former Fire Chief, Toronto Pearson
For 28 years, Todd Aitken has kept a watchful eye on Toronto Pearson – first as a firefighter, then a captain and finally fire chief.
He has led emergency responses, steered the department through growth and technological advances and helped develop the airport’s Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute (FESTI) into a valuable resource for Canadian aviation. But firefighting wasn’t always the plan – Todd began his career in the cockpit as a pilot.
Now, as he hangs up his fire chief’s hat, his career is taking another turn: completing an MBA in Victoria, B.C.
We caught up with Todd to reflect on his remarkable journey.
Why did you switch from flying to emergency services?
Growing up, I wanted to be either a pilot or a firefighter. I got my commercial licence at 19 and flew for about two years. But it’s quite solitary at the start of your career – you’re up there alone doing charter flights or instructing. Firefighting is much more team oriented and there’s a lot of adrenaline. So, I went to firefighting school at Seneca College, and when I graduated was lucky to find a role that meshed aviation and firefighting.
How has the fire department changed?
The department almost doubled in size soon after I joined in 1997. We expanded from aircraft and medical emergencies to an all-hazards approach – structural fires, hazardous materials, auto extrication and more. We’ve always had world-class equipment, but the technology has advanced, too. Things like our breathing apparatus have become lighter and more conducive to search and rescue.
And now you’re finishing an MBA? That’s different.
In this line of work, you’re always learning. It made sense to get my business acumen up because we have FESTI, which operates like a business. As a fire chief, the courses are different from the ones I took as a firefighter, but the training never slows down.
Memorable moments?
Taking part in events like the Firefighter Challenge that test the key skills of firefighting in a competitive environment. For seven years, we represented Pearson in contests across Canada and the U.S. We held our own against municipal fire departments that had far more people. I also worked with Airports Council International to support fire departments in Panama and Costa Rica.
What will you miss most?
Watching the airport grow. I was here in the early 2000s when the new Terminal 1, runways and control tower were opening. It was fantastic to see it all rise from the ground. And now Pearson is heading into another period of growth. But mostly, I’ll miss the team I work with. This is a fast-paced job and we’re at the centre of everything.
