John A.T. Heffernan, CD, WWC Ambassador, Newfoundland and Labrador
Chief Warrant Officer John A.T. Heffernan joined the Canadian Armed Forces with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment during the summer of 1988 as part of a Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and completed his General Military Training (GMT) & Trade Qualification 1 (TQ1) Infantry, becoming an Infanteer.
Later that same year, he re-mustered to the Mobile Support Equipment Operator trade and transferred to 36 (Newfoundland) Service Battalion. He has held many positions with 36 Service Battalion (Transport Platoon) up to and including Platoon Warrant. From Transport Platoon, Chief Warrant Officer Heffernan moved into the Unit’s Training Cell to the position of Training Warrant and then on to the position of Standards Warrant, overseeing Company training and courses. In the spring of 2011, Chief Warrant Officer Heffernan was appointed as the Senior Technical Advisor for the Reserve Mobile Support Equipment Operator Trade for the 5th Canadian Division.
In April 2013, he was promoted to Master Warrant Officer and appointed as Company Sergeant Major of 36 Combat Service Support Company (37 Service Battalion). In September 2016, Chief Warrant Officer Heffernan was promoted to his current rank and appointed the Regimental Sergeant Major of 37 Service Battalion, comprised of three Companies – Headquarters Company and 36 Combat Service Support Company located in St. John’s, Newfoundland and 31 Combat Service Support Company located in Saint John, New Brunswick.
Chief Warrant Officer Heffernan has received the Canadian Decoration 1, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal, and the Order of Military Merit (M.M.M.).
In his civilian career, Chief Warrant Officer Heffernan joined the Conception Bay South Fire Department as a Firefighter in 1990 and has progressively worked through the ranks and was appointed as the Fire Chief of the Conception Bay South Fire Department in October 2015. Recently, Fire Chief Heffernan was awarded the designation as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs.
In October 2013, Chief Warrant Officer Heffernan accepted a voluntary position with Wounded Warriors Canada as the Provincial Coordinator for Newfoundland and Labrador. Wounded Warriors Canada, through their guiding ethos – “Honour the Fallen, Help the Living”, focuses on finding solutions through a wide range of programs and services where gaps have left Canada’s ill and injured Veterans, First Responders, and their families in need.
Chief Warrant Officer Heffernan lives in Topsail, Conception Bay South with his wife, Gordina.
For inquiries and to get involved in Newfoundland & Labrador please send an email to: john@woundedwarriors.ca
