About the Fire Chiefs

Fire Chief Jo Zambito began his fire service career in 1995 as a volunteer firefighter for the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. In 2005, in the rank of Captain, he transitioned as the first full-time Deputy Fire Chief working alongside a complement of 110 firefighters working out of five (5) fire stations.

Chief Zambito joined the Niagara Falls Fire Department in October 2016 as Deputy Chief of Operations, which included the Suppression and Training Division portfolio, and in June 2021, was promoted to Fire Chief.

Jo has dedicated almost 30 years to fire and life safety and has been actively engaged in many regional and provincial committees representing the fire service, adhering to all three lines of defence - Education, Enforcement and Emergency Response.

As a strategic thinker, linking a vision with the current state and being able to not only plan but also implement change initiatives has become a strength that has allowed for many successful transformations.

One initiative he is most proud of is receiving an “honourable mention” from the Conference Board of Canada for a joint regional public education program created locally here in Niagara.

In 2019, Jo was appointed as Regional Fire Coordinator by the Ontario Fire Marshal. This role includes but is not limited to establishing and maintaining the Provincial Mutual Aid Plan for the Region of Niagara. In this role, Jo ensures adequate and coordinated efforts through the efficient utilization of fire department and provincial resources in the event of a mutual aid activation during times of natural or human-made emergencies.

With a strong background in Architecture and Code analysis, Jo’s peer recognition for his leadership style and performance management skills has been amongst the most rewarding moments of his career. To be recognized for leadership has confirmed for him that supporting and investing in others is critical to building any successful organization.

Deputy Chief Lawson began his fire service career in 2004 as a volunteer firefighter for the Town of Grimsby. After being promoted to Captain, he completed his Fire Prevention Officer Diploma from the Ontario Fire College and worked as a Fire Prevention Officer in Niagara-on-the-Lake and St. Catharines before joining the City of Port Colborne in 2015.

In Port Colborne, as the Fire Prevention Officer, Scott re-energized the fire prevention program by emphasizing public education as the first line of defence. His dedication and the department's efforts were not in vain, as they were recognized for their unwavering commitment to public education, winning three consecutive Fire Marshal's Public Safety Council Fire Safety Awards.

Once promoted to Deputy Chief of Port Colborne, Scott’s portfolio included fire prevention, operations and training. As Fire Chief for the City of Port Colborne, Scott upgraded the fire service’s hazmat capabilities and created joint ventures with private industry that added value to the department. Deputy Chief Lawson has been highly regarded by those he has worked with over the years in all capacities in fire services.

In April 2024, Scott was hired as Deputy Chief of Administration for the City of Niagara Falls Fire Department, managing and coordinating the Fire Prevention and Communications Divisions and in April 2026, assumed the portfolio of Deputy Chief of Operations and Training. Deputy Chief Lawson holds a Civil Engineering Diploma and NFPA certification and recently completed his Bachelor of Applied Business in Emergency Management.

Deputy Chief Melanson began his career as a volunteer firefighter with the Town of Fort Erie in 2005. He advanced through the ranks to Captain before being appointed Fire Chief of Fort Erie Fire and Emergency Services, a position he held from 2017 to 2022. He served as Director of Fire Services and Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) for the Town of Saugeen Shores, where he led continuous improvement initiatives and enhanced emergency response training for the municipality’s Emergency Control Group

Throughout his career, Ed has demonstrated leadership in emergency response, fire prevention, public education, emergency management, fire investigation, and strategic planning. He has also served on several provincial advisory committees and is a strong advocate for firefighter training, mental wellness, and inclusive service delivery.

In June 2026, Ed was hired as Deputy Fire Chief, Community Risk Reduction for the City of Niagara Falls Fire Department. Ed is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating programs aimed at reducing risks to life, property, and the environment through prevention, public education, and data-driven strategies. He will also assume operational leadership of the department in the Fire Chief's absence, as required.

Ed Melanson is a graduate of the Fire Service Leadership program and holds a Fire Service Administration Certificate from Dalhousie University. He recently completed an Executive Diploma in Municipal Management through the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO).