New Fire Services / EMO Coordinator and Transition to Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO)
January 22, 2026: The Municipality of Clare is pleased to announce the hiring of Yvon Thibodeau as its new Fire Services / Emergency Management Coordinator, a role created as one of the key recommendations from the 2025 Fire Services Review.
Mr. Thibodeau brings more than three decades of operational emergency response, leadership, and training experience to the position. A volunteer firefighter for 32 years, he currently serves as Deputy Chief of the Little Brook Fire Department and has previously held roles including Training Officer and Lieutenant. He is also one of the three founding members of the Clare Firefighter Training Committee, an initiative highlighted nationally in Firefighting in Canada magazine for advancing firefighter training standards in Clare. In recognition of his contributions to firefighter training excellence, he has received a provincial award from the Office of the Fire Marshal.
Yvon’s commitment to emergency response extends beyond fire services. He has also served with Clare Search and Rescue for 32 years, including terms as President and Search Manager.
Mr. Thibodeau notes that his passion for emergency response began early in life: “My career in helping people started when I was a lifeguard at the Université Sainte-Anne pool, where I saved two individuals from drowning. That moment sparked the desire to serve and protect others — something that has guided my life ever since.”
Transition to a Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO)
Alongside this appointment, the Municipality of Clare is also announcing its transition from an individual Emergency Management Organization (EMO) to a Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO) in partnership with the Municipality of Digby and the Town of Digby. This change aligns with requirements under the Nova Scotia Emergency Preparedness and Nova Scotia Guard Act, which directs municipalities to organize emergency response regionally rather than independently.
Mr. Thibodeau believes the shift will bring significant benefits for residents:
“Moving from a municipal EMO to a REMO means strengthened collaboration, shared planning, and a larger pool of resources. Emergency response becomes more coordinated, more efficient, and more resilient. By working together at a regional level, we increase our capacity to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.”
Strengthening Emergency Preparedness and Fire Services in Clare
With ongoing provincial efforts to modernize emergency management and fire services across Nova Scotia, this as a pivotal moment for our municipality.
There is major momentum provincially to transform how fire services and emergency management operate. In Clare, this new position and the transition to a REMO are important steps in ensuring our communities are safer, better prepared, and better supported in the years ahead.
The addition of this new role will strengthen emergency readiness and fire services coordination in our region. As we transition into a REMO with our Digby partners, Yvon’s leadership will help ensure a more unified, efficient, and resilient approach to emergency preparedness and response.
The Municipality of Clare welcomes Mr. Thibodeau to his new role and looks forward to the leadership and experience he will bring during this important period of change and modernization.
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact Yvon Thibodeau:
Phone: 902-769-2031 ext. 227 (office) or 902-540-4368 (cell)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
