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About our speakers

Below you can read about each of our speakers that will be presenting at Fire Rescue Canada 2023.

Sunday Speakers

 

Policy, Politics & The Media: an inspiring call-to-action combined with media training: the power of voice in advancing fire and emergency sector policy
Elissa Freeman, Communications Strategist and PR & Pop Culture Media Expert, Toronto, Ontario

1. Elissa Freeman is renown for her impactful approach to communications. Her reputation for reigniting the image and authoritative voice of her clients, or providing provocative sound bites on issues of the day, makes her the go-to expert of choice. Elissa is a frequent guest on the Corus News Network. Most recently she worked on CAFC’s 2022 GR Week, creating national media exposure around the organization’s core issues.

 

Taking care of our people and taking care of ourselves… (beyond the words)
Captain Rashawn Fulcher –Sacramento Metropolitan Fire protection District, Sacramento Ca. USA Rashawn Fulcher LLC

1. A product of Oakland, California, Rashawn Fulcher has climbed his way from college athlete and national champion to one of the youngest, African-American Fire Department Captains in his region. His insight, wisdom and straightforward coaching style attracts listeners from teens, pro-athletes to CEO’s. Over the years he has presented at numerous corporations, Institutions, training and leadership seminars, and high schools.

Monday Speakers

 

Policy, Politics & The Media: an inspiring call-to-action combined with media training: the power of voice in advancing fire and emergency sector policy
Elissa Freeman, Communications Strategist and PR & Pop Culture Media Expert, Toronto, Ontario

1. Elissa Freeman is renown for her impactful approach to communications. Her reputation for reigniting the image and authoritative voice of her clients, or providing provocative sound bites on issues of the day, makes her the go-to expert of choice. Elissa is a frequent guest on the Corus News Network. Most recently she worked on CAFC’s 2022 GR Week, creating national media exposure around the organization’s core issues.

 

Canada’s Search and Rescue Program: A Path Forward
Simon Bradley, MA, Team Manager - Canada Task Force 2, Alberta

1. Simon Bradley is the Team Manager for Canada Task Force 2 based out of Calgary, Alberta. Simon has experience on large-scale events including the 2013 Calgary Floods and the 2016 Fort McMurray Wildfire. Simon is an Emergency Manager, Volunteer Firefighter, and holds a master’s degree in Disaster and Emergency Management from Royal Roads University.

 

Residential Fire Prevention: Interventions in Vulnerable Indigenous Communities
Daniel Perron, National Indigneous Fire Safety Council

1. Coming soon!

 

Front and Centre: Taking a Hard Stand

Fire Chief Karen Fry, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services

1. Karen Fry has been the fire chief in Vancouver since January 2021 and worked previously in Nanaimo as the Chief and Surrey Fire Service as a Deputy. With over 23 years in the fire services, she has been a leader and advocate for safety of all. She was recently recognized as the #5 in the Power 50 list for Vancouver, the 1st VP for the BC Fire Chiefs and on the CAFC mental health Committee.

 

Community Safety and Well-being
Assistant Chief Yvonne Raymer, Saskatoon Fire Department, Saskatoon, SK, Director of Legal Services

Jodi Manastyrski, City of Saskatoon Solicitor’s, Saskatoon, SK

1. Yvonne started with the Saskatoon Fire Department in October of 1997 and is currently Assistant Chief of Public Relations & Community Risk Reduction.  Yvonne has extensive knowledge of national codes, acts, and bylaws and is instrumental in the development, and maintenance, of the proactive community safety and well-being program in Saskatoon.  Yvonne provides expertise to the CAFC through various committees on diversity, fire code, and inspection.
   
   
   
2. Jodi works in Planning and Development and Indigenous Initiatives, providing advice to Council and Saskatoon Fire on municipal issues from zoning and regional planning to finding resolutions to complex issues which impact the community. Jodi assists in developing partnerships with outside organizations and other levels of government. Jodi has been a guest lecturer on municipal issues for the College of Law.
   
   
   

What calls are you answering?
Mrs. Erica Thomas, MBA, Transitional Solutions Inc. Alberta

Chief Keven Lefebvre, Leduc County Fire Department, Alberta

1. Erica is the CEO of Transitional Solutions (TSI), a consulting firm aimed at supporting Emergency Services organizations. Erica grew up in the fire service and is passionate about the Fire Service. She works collaboratively with “her Chiefs” on the delivery of emergency services consulting across Canada.
2. Keven has over 35 years of experience in Fire Services, he is a forward thinker that takes a strategic and collaborative approach to every task. Throughout his career he has held various positions ranging from Firefighter to Fire Chief. Keven is a senior consultant with TSI.
   
   
   

Brief Response: Street Level Community Risk Reduction
Deputy Chief Scott Wilkinson, E.C.F.O, B.P.E., P.C.P.

1. Scott Wilkinson is a 32-year veteran of the fire and paramedic service and is the currently the Deputy Chief, Fire Rescue Operations & Training for the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.
   
   
   

Partnering for Meaningful Advocacy – IS Radios Case Study
Larry Thomas, Chief, Surrey Fire Service

Amy Herrmann, Director, Global Product Safety & Regulatory Compliance, Motorola Solutions

Wilf Mulder, Vice President, Safety & Security Division, JVCKENWOOD Canada Inc.

Darcy Mazerolle, Manager, Engineering & Technical Services, Safety & Security Division, JVCKENWOOD Canada Inc.

Susan Winter, ED, CECA

1. Coming soon!
   
   

Fighting Fire with Knowledge: Adult Education in the Fire Service
Fire Chief Michael Boyle, BIS, ECFO Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department, New Brunswick

1. Chief Boyle has been involved in fire and EMS for over 26 years and is the fire chief of the Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department in New Brunswick.  He is working towards his Master of Education in Adult Education from the University of New Brunswick.
   
   
   

Communication Pit Stop & Personal Health Versus Leadership
Division Chief Justin McGuigan, Fredericton Fire Department / New Brunswick Association of Fire Chiefs, New Brunswick

1. Justin is a Division Chief for the Fredericton Fire Department, and a Vice President for the New Brunswick Association of Fire Chiefs.  Justin is passionate about building healthy teams in public and private sectors.  Justin sits on various provincial working groups to support and lead emergency response efforts in New Brunswick.

 

Modernizing traditional firefighting through knowledge, practice, science, and skill
District Chief of Fire Rescue Operations, Jack Robertson, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, Manitoba

Senior Fire Training Officer, Jared Blair, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, Manitoba

1. Jack has been a member of the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service for 37 years after serving three years with the Canadian Armed Forces and has been an instructor/evaluator for the Manitoba Emergency Services College for 23 years.
2. Jared has 23 years with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service as a Firefighter / Primary Care Paramedic. In December of 2021 he became a Fire Training Officer and in May of 2022 Jared was promoted to Senior Fire Training Officer at the Winnipeg Fire Rescue Academy
   

 

Creating Diversity Impact in the Fire Service
Corinne Pierce, Manager of Human Resources, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Services

Deputy Chief Scott Wilkinson, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Services, Winnipeg, Manitoba

1. Corinne Pierce, is a HR professional with over 15 years of experience in Human Resources. She is a leader and member with various initiatives that build diversity in the Fire Service. Corinne is engaged in multiple projects for WFPS including a workplace culture assessment and diversity programming.
2.  Scott Wilkinson is a 32 year veteran of WFPS and I is currently holding a position of the Assistant Chief for Community Risk Reduction. Chief Wilkinson has been instrumental in the development of the Diversity and Equity Fire Training program in collaboration with Human Resource Services. 
   
   
   

Workforce planning/challenges - Fire service mentorship in the 21st century
Deputy Fire Chief Devin Capcara Strathcona County Emergency Services Alberta

1. Devin has spent 35 years working in an integrated Fire/EMS organization. For twenty-five years he served as a fire fighter/paramedic and officer before making the transition to management. He is currently Deputy Chief of Operations for Strathcona County Emergency Services, a composite Fire/EMS organization serving 100,000 over citizen.

 

Officer Development: Our lessons, program evolution, tips & tools
Division Chief, Planning & Training, Kelly Lehr, BPSA, CRSP, Strathcona County Emergency Services, AB

1. Kelly's Emergency Services career started in the mid-1990s as a Primary, then Advanced Care Paramedic. In 2000 he joined Strathcona County Emergency Services as a FF/ACP. He believes in lifelong learning and works to model that value. Kelly enjoys early mornings and the outdoors, ideally together.

 

Canadian Safety and Security Programme: Overview of the First Responder Line of Effort
Mr. Shaye Friesen, Defence Research and Development Canada, Centre for Security Science, Ottawa ON

1. Shaye Friesen is the Section Head – Preparedness, Resilience and First Responders at Defence Research and Development Canada’s (DRDC) Centre for Security Science. He has responsibility and oversight for science and technology (S&T) program formulation and delivery across multiple domains, such as: community resilience research; natural hazards; emergency alerting; wireless communications; and Tri-Service/first responder technology supports. 

 

Tuesday Speakers

 

2021 Atmospheric Rivers - The Story of Hope
Fire Chief (ret) Tom DeSorcy, ECFO Hope Fire Department, BC

1. Tom DeSorcy joined the fire service in 1983 and    became the first paid firefighter in his hometown of Hope, B.C., when he became fire chief in 2000, retiring in 2023.  
   
   
   

Comparison of Mental Health Programs and Update of Resilient Mindstle
Dr. Joy MacDermid, PT, PhD, Professor, School of Physical Therapy, Western University, Ontario

1. Dr. Joy MacDermid is a Professor in the School of Physical Therapy at Western University and the Scientific Director of FIREWELL, an independent knowledge translation platform and research collaborative with firefighters. Her research includes public safety personnel and Veteran health, work injury, and implementation science.
   
   
   

Evaluating the implementation of PeerOnCall app within the fire sector
Dr. Joy MacDermid, PT, PhD, Professor, School of Physical Therapy, Western University, Ontario

1. Dr. Joy MacDermid is a Professor in the School of Physical Therapy at Western University and the Scientific Director of FIREWELL, an independent knowledge translation platform and research collaborative with firefighters. Her research includes public safety personnel and Veteran health, work injury, and implementation science.

A success story: Peer Support Program in a POC world
Deputy Fire Chief Ivana Irwin, Leduc County Fire Services, AB

1. DFC Irwin works for Leduc county fire services. Her portfolio includes Disaster Management, Training and Firefighter Wellness. She is a Psychosocial First Aid instructor, a Road to Mental Readiness Instructor and the lead of the Leduc County Peer Support program. 

What about the families? A virtual wellbeing hub for families
Heidi Cramm, PhD, OT Reg (Ont), Associate Professor, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University

1. Trained as an occupational therapist, Dr. Cramm is an associate professor in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University. Her program of research involves the mental health of the families military members, Veterans and public safety personnel; health system access and navigation for military families and Veterans; and trauma.

 

Social media as an occupational stressor for firefighters
Robin Campbell, PhD(c), MRM, BSW, School of Occupational Therapy, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia

1. Robin Campbell is a PhD candidate in the School of Occupational Therapy at Dalhousie University. Her doctoral research explores how the occupational environment impacts the mental health and wellbeing of volunteer firefighters in rural Nova Scotia. She is currently working as the Project Manager-Fire Sector for the PeerOnCall app study. Robin is a former volunteer firefighter and is currently a reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces.
   
   

A Proven Map to Increased Diversity
Ms. Andréa Speranza, Operations Captain & Founder/Executive Director of Camp Courage

1. Andréa Speranza holds a degree in Business Administration, is a Firefighter Instructor, and an Operations Captain with 26 years of experience with Halifax Regional Fire service. In 2006 she founded Camp Courage and is currently the Executive Director.  Andréa is always championing diversity and has been recognized by numerous organizations.
   
   

 

Can Gender Equity become the norm In Canada’s Fire Services?
Fire Service Women Ontario (FSWO) President Pike Krpan

1. FSWO President Pike Krpan is a career firefighter with the City of Hamilton since 2013 and has been President of FSWO since 2020. President Krpan has been a strong advocate and mentor for women in the fire service including the organization of Camp FFIT in Hamilton and developing the Strategy Toolkit to help Fire Departments include Women in the Fire Service.   
   
   

The Economic Impact of Fire Prevention and Emergency Operations
Assistant Chief Dave Waterhouse, MBA Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal (Montreal Fire Department), Québec

1. M. Waterhouse is currently Assistant Chief for the Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal at the Strategic Planning and Technical Service Center. He is co-author of several economic impact studies for Fire Departments and is an international speaker. He also serves as an active contributor at the NFPA Research Foundation. He is graduated form HEC Montréal Business School, where he successfully completed a Bachelor’s degree in Management and an MBA at Sherbrooke University.
   
   
   

Wednesday Speakers

 

Firefighters Preventing Cancer
Patrick McGrath, OC, PhD, IWK Health/ Dalhousie University, NS

Ivana Irwin, Deputy Fire Chief, Leduc County Fire Services Alberta.

Jim Petrik, Fire Chief, Guelf Amorosa/Cancer Researcher

Graham Pawlett, Past President, Volunteer Firefighters of Canada, Chair CAFC Cancer Committee

1. Patrick McGrath is a Clinical Psychologist who does research on digital health prevention and treatment. His focus is developing, evaluating and disseminating interventions for important health issues. His strategy is to work closely with the end users to ensure that interventions work well. 
2. Ms. Irwin is a Registered Nurse with over 28 years experience in. Currently she is employed as the Deputy Fire Chief of Emergency Management and Training for the Leduc County Fire Services.
   
   
   

Taking care of our people and taking care of ourselves… (beyond the words)
Captain Rashawn Fulcher –Sacramento Metropolitan Fire protection District, Sacramento Ca. USA

1. A product of Oakland, California, Rashawn Fulcher has climbed his way from college athlete and national champion to one of the youngest, African-American Fire Department Captains in his region. His insight, wisdom and straightforward coaching style attracts listeners from teens, pro-athletes to CEO’s. Over the years he has presented at numerous corporations, Institutions, training and leadership seminars, and high schools.
   
   
   

Good Sleep Requires Shiny(er) Shoes: A Year Later
Chief Matthew Pegg, Fire Chief & General Manager, Toronto Fire Services, City of Toronto

1. Matthew Pegg is the chief of Toronto Fire Services (TFS).  In March 2020, Chief Pegg was appointed to lead the City of Toronto's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and served as the Incident Commander for 25 months.  Chief Pegg has led some of the largest scale emergencies in Toronto’s history and leads the largest and most complex fire service in Canada.