New fire chief takes the helm in Rochester Hills

ROCHESTER HILLS — Todd Gary has been named the chief of fire and emergency services for the Rochester Hills Fire Department.

Gary — the sixth fire chief in the city’s 40-year history — replaces former Chief Sean Canto, who retired from his post in August after over 10 years of service in that role.

“It was my honor to serve the men and women of this organization,” Canto said of his retirement on social media.

Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said the city’s new chief has been with the Rochester Hills Fire Department for 43 years.

“Chief Gary has earned every bit of respect from me and everyone he’s worked with,” said Barnett. “I’m excited to support him completely and fully as he leads this department.”

Gary, a Rochester Hills native and Rochester High School graduate, has worked for the department since 1981, serving as the deputy fire chief since 2016.

“It’s an honor and very humbling that I got support from the mayor and that he’s willing to trust me to run the organization,” Gary said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of responsibility associated with this, being responsible for the entire Fire Department and the fire safety of our community.”

Gary is a second-generation firefighter for the Rochester Hills Fire Department as his father, Roger Gary, served as a district chief starting in 1977. The two worked together at Fire Station #5 early in his career.

“I got into the fire service through my dad,” Gary said. “My dad just kind of suggested it one day, and I said, ‘Sure, I’ll give it a try’ … and I enjoyed it.”

Barnett said Gary brings with him over four decades of fire service experience in the community and understands the city’s needs and expectations.

Gary started his career as a paid-on-call firefighter for what was known as Avon Township before becoming a full-time fire dispatcher in 1986. He became a firefighter in 1987 and was promoted to fire inspector in 1993. Four years later, Gary was promoted again to the rank of fire inspector/lieutenant. In 2001, he was named the fire marshal, a position he held until becoming the deputy fire chief.

In 1981, when Gary was working as a paid-on-call firefighter, Avon Township recorded 1,055 calls for service in a year. Today, that number is over 9,000.

Longtime Fire Department employee Bill Cook — who Barnett said has worked for the city at least 31 years — was promoted as the city’s new deputy fire chief.

“These two gentlemen have worked together for a number of years,” Barnett said. “They provide incredible leadership. I am thrilled that we have the kind of bench in the Rochester Hills Fire Department that we can turn the team over to these incredible leaders and both have a passion for their department.”

Gary and Cook will be responsible for 78 staff members and the five fire stations that service the city’s 32-square-miles.