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Welcome to Fire-Rescue Canada's Speaker Abstracts. Below you will find detailed information regarding the topics of discussion for the upcoming FRC 2021 plenary sessions.

How to be a Fire Department Committeed to Truth and Reconciliation

Keynote Speaker: Anna Everett

Abstract

This presentation is to engage fire leaders across Canada on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). Thus, providing an opportunity to collaborate with non-Indigenous and Indigenous fire leaders while amplifying Indigenous voices within their organizations on TRC 94 calls to action. Part of the discussion on change process within a large complex system such as TRC has several aspects, such as (a) diagnosing the present condition in relation to those goals, (b) defining the desired conditions after the change, (c) defining the activities and commitments required to reach the future state, and (d) developing strategies and action plans for managing this transition. My presentation addresses subsection 57 titled “Professional Development and Training for Public Servants” of the 94 “Calls to Action” within the TRC report (TRC; 2015, p. 7). However, within my topic, there is a cultural “catch” I would like to address. I have chosen to balance the First Nations People’s perspectives with the dominant colonist Westernized perspective while creating a psychologically safe environment where truth and reconciliation can be fostered (TRC, 2015). Marshall (2012, as cited in Peltier, 2018) defined this balance as: “Two-Eyed Seeing is: ‘To see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing, and to see from the other eye with the strengths of Western ways of knowing, and to use both of these eyes together’” (“Two Eyed Seeing,” para. 1). This approach offers Indigenous voices and ways of knowing as a means to shifting existing mental models.

Mental health support for firefighters during COVID-19: A scoping review of best practice

Keynote Speaker: Kathryn Sinden

Abstract

Purpose: Firefighters experience a confluence of factors that increase their risk for mental health disorders which have been further exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Various strategies have been proposed and implemented to support firefighters’ mental health however, their empirical efficacy is unclear. The primary study purpose was to review, appraise and synthesize the scientific literature that informs management of firefighter mental health.

Methodology: A scoping review of the literature was conducted focussing on studies that investigated effectiveness of firefighter mental health management strategies generally and during COVID19. Five bibliographic databases were searched using standard medical subject healdings (MeSH) and text words. An evaluation tool was applied to determine quality of methods used in the study. Findings were synthesized thematically to determine best practice for managing firefighter mental health. Firefighters were included in all study phases including development of the search strategy and interpretation of study findings.

Results: Very few high-quality studies have been conducted specifically with firefighters that indicate the best, evidence-based approach for managing their mental health. Most studies were conducted at one point in time and / or a comparison control group was not included. Weak to moderate evidence suggests that common approaches used to support firefighter mental health had minimal effect on indices of mental health. Moderate to good evidence suggests that mindfulness, resiliency and cognitive behavioural therapy can have a positive impact on firefighter post-traumatic stress injury, depression and alcohol use. A critical gap in managing firefighter mental health during COVID-19 was identified.

Overcoming Compassion Fatigue & Avoiding Burnout During Covid Times

Keynote Speaker: Larry Iverson

Abstract

Because of the massive changes in the world due to the pandemic and risk associated with being a first responder, this program brings strategies to overcome compassion fatigue. During the session the participants will take a compassion fatigue evaluation to analyze their risk for getting it. This evaluation can also tell them the level of compassion fatigue they may already be at. They will learn two strategies to staying free of compassion fatigue, or if they are already experiencing it how to break free from it. But the end of the program they will have learned the signs and symptoms of CF and how to avoid having it enter their personal and professional life.

'The Wolf Was Not Sleeping' Emotional Wellbeing Initiative for First Responders

Keynote Speaker: Kris Kennett

Abstract

Four years ago, I sat at the funeral of a friend and colleague who had decided that there was no other way out of his pain than to end his life by suicide. As I watched his eldest child run out of the service sobbing, I found myself faced with the question “Could we do more to support our first responder families?” I felt that the answer was “Yes” and was personally driven to pioneer innovative new ways to do this.

Research shows that a first responders most critical emotional wellbeing support can come from their family and that there is a huge gap in being able to find resources to help do this. I saw the opportunity to create a resource that would initiate conversations, deliver practical strategies and strengthen connections between firefighters, their families and the teams that they work with.

The concept of the children’s book “The Wolf Was Not Sleeping” takes a holistic approach to wellbeing by gifting the experience of a shared story that has subtle, clever messaging based on sound psychological research. Preliminary results have shown the value it has already brought first responders and their families in New Zealand.

Our presentation will cover our approach, the evidence-based results and how the initiative compliments existing health, safety and wellbeing strategies. Working collaboratively and sharing initiatives such as this, helps to build positive and healthy organisational cultures and advances the global mental health agenda for first responders.

The Economic and Socio-Economic Impact of Fire Prevention

Keynote Speaker: Dave Waterhouse

Abstract

The purpose is to present the conclusion of a research study where the economic dans socio-econoomic impact of Fire Prevention has been demonstrated for 2 case studies on municipal Fire Departments in Quebec. For the economic impact part, it has been demonstrated that the increase of investments in Fire Prevention has curbed down the total number of fires trough a certain period of time, all the while there was an increase in the overall built heritage for a Fire Department's territory.

For the socio-economic part, it has been demonstrated that with the increase in Fire Prevention investments, the total number of civilians deaths because of residential fire and the overall deaths and injuries to Firefighters, has decreased over a certain period of time.

In this presentation, I want to present the methodology and conclusions the research has produced, in order to value the initiatives done in Fire Prevention.

Beyond Dashboards: Using Aggregate Data to drive Quality Improvement in Fire Service

Keynote Speaker: Scott Ramey

Abstract

While many Fire Services are using data and tracking more areas of interest with intention to improve service and show productivity, are we using sound data science principles combined with quality improvement methodologies to make meaningful change? Every organization tracks a family of measures with data from various moments of time. The list of indicators often blend measures created by leadership with a mix of from other sources like accreditation bodies, regulators, and benchmarking vendors. These data are usually at an aggregate level or minimally stratified by division or facility. Aggregate data may be useful for judging against your goal or comparing it to other organizations but it offers limited guidance on what’s happening within the organization or what is contributing to the variation we see. How can we learn from aggregate data? and How can we target process improvement in fire service by drilling down our aggregate data?

FIT TO THRIVE: An Innovative Charge to Change Fire Fighters’ Health Behaviours

Keynote Speaker: David Frost

Abstract

The evidence is clear. Regular exercise can help to improve physical, psychological and social well-being and is recommended as one of the first options for treating and preventing chronic conditions afflicting too many fire fighters, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, musculoskeletal injury, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obesity and sleep disorders. However, education and mandated fitness programs are not the answer. Emerging evidence highlights the need for behavioral solutions to improve the physical activity habits of firefighters. In other words, to improve your physical, psychological and social well-being, your attitudes, interests, choices and actions – as well as the organizational culture of your department – must all be considered.

The IAFF is leading an innovative charge to improve fire fighter health and wellness with the Fit To Thrive (F2T) program. Conceived as an extension of the IAFF/IAFC Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI) and the IAFF/IAFC Peer Fitness Trainer (PFT) program, F2T is designed to help more fire fighters be more active more often so they can experience the benefits of regular exercise. F2T is comprehensive, collaborative (jointly supported by labor and management), inclusive (non-punitive and accommodating to diverse needs), accessible (readily available to any member and department) and focused on behavior change.

This workshop will overview the F2T program, provide several practical tips that will help to implement a wellness and fitness program, outline the details of a Case Study involving a collaboration between the IAFF and iAFC.

Interoperability for Incident Command: How to bring Police, Fire, EMS and Dispatch together when lives are on the line.

Keynote Speaker: Scott Cowan

Abstract

We often attend scenes with EMS, Police and other agencies, but how effectively are we actually working together with each other? Understanding how each agency works is critical to operational effectiveness.

The purpose of this session is to discuss the importance of having interoperability amongst the various emergency services agencies responding to critical calls (Police, Fire, EMS, Dispatch, etc.). History of challenges in this area will be briefly referenced and ways to move forward will be focused on. The goal of the presentation is to demonstrate the advantages of interoperability and show fire service leaders ways that they can build interoperability into their department and among the agencies that they respond with.

The Calgary Fire Department, and it's responding partners, recognized the need to build an interoperability program for incident commanders back in 2017 and has since worked with Calgary Police, Alberta Health Services EMS, Calgary Emergency Management Agency and Calgary 911 Communications to build a program and train command level staff. The resulting program has increased each agency's understanding of each other, including how to build joint situational awareness, an understanding of the specialized resources of each agency, and the differences in risk assessment as it applies to each agency. The resulting program has been used in large scale exercises to train for active shooter events, and has been used at real incidents involving assailants with weapons amongst numerous knife attack victims. In each situation, the value of a formal interoperability program has been shown; in incident organization, command effectiveness, and saved lives.