The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) is happy to welcome Alex Kwan as its new Public Information Officer.
As the official spokesperson for the Calgary Fire Department, the Public Information Officer (PIO) delivers timely and clear information about incidents in our community, champions fire and life-safety initiatives and helps lead proactive safety campaigns to reach Calgary’s many diverse communities.
Following a highly competitive selection process, Alex emerged as the successful candidate—bringing with him not only a wealth of experience, but also a deep, personal commitment to the values of public service and community connection.
Alex joined the Calgary Fire Department in 2008, beginning his career in technically focused roles that laid a strong foundation in core emergency response skills. His early contributions included work as a field trainer in medical disciplines as well as in cadet programming and fire ignition training. His leadership path continued through roles as Training Officer, Aquatics Training Officer and Training Coordinator, helping to shape future generations of CFD members.
Since 2015, Alex has also served as a dedicated member of the CFD Honour Guard—a role he describes as deeply meaningful. The CFD Honour Guard plays an important role in paying tribute to firefighters that lost their lives in the line of duty at CFD’s annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial every September. The Honour Guard also attends other ceremonial events such as firefighter recruit graduations. Alex displays his deep commitment to public service by helping lead efforts to honour and remember firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty – including CFD members who have passed from presumptive occupational cancers.
Over the past five years, Alex has brought his passion and purpose to CFD’s Community Safety division. From school visits and fire prevention campaigns to outreach events, he found great motivation in making a difference to raise safety awareness and help prevent incidents and accidents. Whether sharing a fire safety tip with a stranger or delivering water safety education that directly protects families, these moments reaffirmed his belief in the power of communication and prevention.
As part of his efforts to reach Calgarians, Alex undertook learning American Sign Language (ASL) to better connect with members of the deaf community. Being able to hold conversations, even at a basic level, has allowed Alex to build bridges with people who are often underserved—demonstrating that CFD is committed to safety and inclusion for all.
“As a born and raised Calgarian, I’m deeply honoured and proud to serve as a Calgary Firefighter and the next Public Information Officer,” says Alex. “Thank you to Carol Henke for her dedication, passion and commitment. I’ve had the privilege to witness first-hand the trust and rapport she’s built with the media and public. I’m excited for the opportunity and responsibility that comes with representing the department and look forward to showcasing the great people we have and the amazing work we do to keep people safe.”
After more than a decade of outstanding service, Carol Henke has moved on to a new role at Calgary Fire as a Medical Training Officer, a key role in a fire service that responds to over 45,000 medical calls annually.
Carol’s skilled and compassionate approach to incident communications and media relations delivered important safety messages to Calgarians, showcased operational excellence and deepened community trust.
“It has been an extraordinary honour to serve as the Public Information Officer for the Calgary Fire Department over the past 12 and a half years. Representing this department — and the dedicated people who serve it — to a city as vibrant and diverse as Calgary has been one of the greatest privileges of my career,” says Carol.
“I’m incredibly grateful to my colleagues in the media, whose commitment to public safety helped amplify our messages and make Calgary a safer city. As I pass the torch to Alex Kwan, I know the role is in excellent hands. His passion and professionalism will serve Calgarians well.”
In addition to supporting Calgary Fire operations with incident communications, Alex works closely with the Calgary Fire communications team within CFD’s Risk Management division, which provides strategy and support for all CFD external and internal communications, including safety campaigns and non-incident media relations.
Calgary media partners, please note:
Contact CFD’s Public Information Officer directly for timely support on incidents and accidents attended by Calgary Fire within Calgary city limits: alex.kwan@calgary.ca / 403-988-7922 – media use only.
All non-incident queries for Calgary Fire should continue to be directed to City Media Relations: media.relations@calgary.ca / 403-828-2954. Queries will go to Calgary Fire’s communications lead, as well as any other City business units needed to provide a timely and accurate response.
After-hours media queries for Calgary Fire should continue to be directed to CFD’s on-duty Battalion Chief: 403-264-1022. You will be asked to leave a call back number and the on-duty Battalion Chief will return your call as soon as possible. CFD leaders working after-hours may need prioritize incident response to ensure public and firefighter safety.
