WEYBURN – The Weyburn Fire Department has a new deputy fire chief, and for Michael Wock, the role is the culmination of years of hands-on emergency experience, both in firefightng and the oil industry.
After 24 years working in the oil patch, Wock decided it was time for a career change.
“With the current state of the oil patch, I made the decision to move to a more secure career,” he said. “I went through watching some mergers and a number of my peers getting laid off, so for me, it was the right time to pursue firefighting.”
Wock’s background in high-pressure oilfield environemnts has prepared him well for the demands of firefighting.
“It’s a very safety-driven, and a lot of times, you’re responding to high-pressure situations."
Now, as deputy chief, Wock will help oversee fire protection in a city with its own unique challenges.
“We have a lot of traffic, so MVCs [motor vehicle collisions] are high. In the summer months you have lots of potential for grass fires. The oil and gas sector also plays a role.”
Wock, who has served as a paid-on-call firefighter for nearly 14 years in Naples City, Utah, and Estevan, said he doesn’t see gaps in Weyburn’s fire service so much as opportunities to strengthen an already strong team.
“I come from leadership and teamwork,” he said. “There’s a strong team in Weyburn, so I just want to build on that and integrate myself into it.”
When he’s not on duty, Wock enjoys spending downtime with his wife and dog.
“We enjoy the outdoors, just hanging out, going for walks, and enjoying our downtime when we get it,” he said.
Story corrected to say Naples City
