In April 2023, Lorenzo De Arcangelis joined the District of Sicamous as fire chief. Now, one year later, he’s taking a moment to reflect on the journey so far – from settling into a new role and community to building connections and leading Sicamous Fire Rescue through a great year of service.
“The connections I’ve built with both residents and visitors of the district continue to be warm and genuinely welcoming,” shares Chief De Arcangelis. “The sense of community is something I deeply value.”
Professionally, stepping into a leadership role in a new community has been both humbling and rewarding. Chief De Arcangelis leads a dedicated team focused on delivering fire and life safety services across Sicamous.
“Providing this essential service to the district represents a meaningful milestone in my career,” he says.
When he’s not overseeing emergency response or advancing wildfire mitigation works, you might find Chief De Arcangelis hiking Sicamous Creek Trail or spending time at the Legion – two local favourites he’s discovered since arriving.
Chief De Arcangelis jokes that one of the biggest surprises he found moving to Sicamous is “way less vehicle traffic, and way more wildlife traffic,” but it’s the slower pace and natural beauty of the area that have made a lasting impression. He’s adjusted to embracing the incredible views and outdoor lifestyle.
“To me, community represents the people we serve, protect and stand beside every day,” says Chief De Arcangelis, reflecting on ‘community’ in the context of his role. “It means more than geography – it’s a shared responsibility to ensure safety, resilience and trust.”
He adds that his role as fire chief is rooted in service, particularly in providing rapid, effective emergency response, advancing public safety education and building strong relationships with residents, partner agencies and visitors alike.
Looking ahead, Chief De Arcangelis is excited to continue delivering exceptional fire and life safety services while developing a strong foundation for the next generation of fire service leadership in Sicamous.
“Leading a team of professionals dedicated to life safety is both a privilege and a responsibility I hold with the highest regard,” he says.