The Calgary Fire Department does not tolerate illegal activity, said Chief Steven Dongworth in response to news that a senior firefighter has been charged in connection with a marijuana grow-op.

"We take public trust very seriously and I think I've already said there's an element of disappointment when anything like this happens," Dongworth said at news conference on Friday.

“We value the public's trust and we know it can place a question around trust."

Calgary fire Chief Steven Dongworth. (City of Calgary)

District Fire Chief Dwayne Price and a 52-year-old woman are charged with production of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking. Price has been with the fire department for 26 years and is now suspended with pay.

Dongworth says there will be a review of hiring protocols because of this situation, but maintained the current hiring process is incredibly thorough.

"We are very confident we have a robust process in place, comparable to the hiring of a police officer."

The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams' (ALERT) Green Team estimates the grow-op was capable of producing half a million dollars’ worth of marijuana. ALERT will now lead a criminal investigation into the matter.

ALERT has nearly 400 municipal police, RCMP members and sheriffs who investigate serious crimes like drug trafficking, gangs and child exploitation.