Duane McKay has been actively involved in the public safety sector for 43 years, engaging in a broad scope of public safety initiatives from ground level emergency response to senior policy, management and leadership. Duane has had a diverse career that allowed him to cross many professional borders and to participate at all levels of government. He has held the legislative responsibilities of Fire Commissioner and Chief of Emergency Planning. He has overseen the development of the Saskatchewan 911 System and a wide array of emergency communications systems, including radio and broadband structure. Duane also developed an innovative volunteer emergency response network and a logistics and training system, which included the implementation of a high school emergency services training program.
At a national level, Duane has served as Chair of Canadian Council of Emergency Management Operations and Co-Chair of Senior Officials Responsible for Emergency Management, President of the Council of Canadian Fire Marshalls and Fire Commissioners, Co-Chair of the Cross Sector Forum for Critical Infrastructure. He has also spoken and presented at various other national committees and forums.
In his role as the CanOps President, Duane provides leadership, oversight and management of CanOps’ business objectives. He oversees the development and implementation of the strategic vision of Empowering Public Safety Organizations across Canada.