Cloud named acting-fire chief in La Ronge

It’s been a quick transition for Keaton Cloud at the La Ronge Regional Fire Department as he went from a volunteer member to deputy-fire chief to acting-fire chief in a matter of weeks.

A motion was made at a regular council meeting Wednesday where Cloud was named the acting-fire chief until Wayne Tchorzewski returns to work. He left his position for an undetermined amount of time as he deals with what Mayor Ron Woytowich said were health issues. Tchorzewski has been away from the department for about two weeks now.

“We don’t know how long he’s going to be sick,” Woytowich said. “In order to have people who are properly qualified, [we] might have to import and who would want the job if they don’t know if it’s permanent or temporary. We all believe he is coming back.”

Cloud, who started his first day as deputy fire chief on Dec. 2, replaced Robert Pacey who left the department a couple of months ago to pursue a position with La Ronge EMS. Cloud brings with him nearly five years of experience and he became a fully-certified firefighter in 2018.