Published May 4, 2016
WO Al Charland, CD will retire on 30 May 2016 after 27+ years of loyal and dedicated service to the CAF, CME Branch and the NDFS. Please see attached bio.
WO Charland joined the CAF as a Fire Fighter on 18 Jan 1989. His postings included CFB Moose Jaw, HMCS Regina, CFB Winnipeg, CFB Borden (CFFCA), HMCS Ottawa, HMCS Vancouver, HMCS Winnipeg, and CFB Edmonton. He was also deployed on two 6 month deployments to the Persian Gulf in 1997 and 1999. WO Al Charland has accepted a new job as a fire prevention specialist with the Public Works and Government Services of Canada in Edmonton Alberta. He will be residing in Morinville Alberta with his wife Debbie and their three children Bianca, Brooke, and Renaud. At the request of Al, all are invited to his DWD at the CFB Edmonton Golf and Curling Club on 27 May 2016 at 1700 hrs. Please RSVP NLT 25 May to Sgt Gerrior 1-780-973-4011 Ext: 4434, 1-902-293-9999, or via email. Messages, anecdotes or photos can be sent to Sgt Chris Gerrior
WO Charland joined the Canadian Armed Forces on Jan 18th 1989 as a fire fighter. After completing his recruit course at the Canadian Forces Base St-Jean QC, he proceeded to Canadian Forces Base Borden Ontario for his QL3 fire fighter course at the Canadian Forces Fire Academy. In December 1990, upon completing his QL3 fire fighter course, he received his first posting to Canadian Forces Base Moose Jaw Fire Department in Saskatchewan where he met his supportive loving wife Debbie Charland. While in Moose Jaw he was also deployed to Haiti for one month. In July 1996 he was transferred to HMCS Regina, Esquimalt BC, where he spent four years sailing on various tasking’s and exercises. During this time Warrant Officer Charland was also deployed on two six month deployments to the Persian Gulf with his first one being in 1997 and his second deployment in 1999. On July 10th 2000, he was transferred to Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg for four years and then sent to the Canadian Forces Fire Academy in Borden Ontario where he spent approximately four years as an instructor and was promoted to Master Corporal on June 27 2005, and then Sergeant on Jan 1st 2008. Due to his promotion to Sergeant, it was time for him to go back to sea. He was posted to HMCS Ottawa on July 21st 2008 as the senior fire fighter and spent 4 years in Esquimalt BC where sailed onboard various ships such as HMCS Vancouver, HMCS Regina, and HMCS Winnipeg. On July 16th 2012 he was transferred to CFB Edmonton Fire Department where he assumed the duties as Deputy Platoon Chief until July 14th 2014 where he was promoted to Warrant Officer and employed as the Platoon Chief for red crew. Warrant Officer Charland has decided to retire on May 30th 2016 and take a job with the Public Works and Government Services of Canada in Edmonton Alberta as a fire prevention specialist. He will be residing in Morinville Alberta with his wife Debbie and their three children Bianca, Brooke, and Renaud. WO Charland will always remember and treasure the many memories and friends he made throughout the 27+ years he has worked for the National Defence Fire Service.