Sani-Gear is renting out PPE bunker clothing at a special price for our participants. The price per bunker suit is $65.60 which includes the rental of the gear, the advanced wash, full inspection, hydro-static testing, and repairs upon its return.

Sani-Gear will need bunker gear sizing ahead of time.  Anyone wishing to rent a bunker suit is to contact Inge Pudelek.   

Participants can make arrangements with Inge for pick-up or delivery before the symposium begins on October 17, 2019.

Symposium Location
FSWO 2019 Symposium & AGM takes place La Cité Collégiale

801 Aviation Parkway
Ottawa, ON K1K 4R3


 

Fire Service Women Ontario 2020 Professional Development Symposium and Annual General Meeting - Cancelled

Hotel Info & Accommodations

Symposium Hotel: Coming Soon

Reservation Information:

Driving Directions

Public Transportation

• Ottawa Train Station.
• Turn right onto Lemieux St / Rue Lemieux, and then immediately turn right onto RR-26 N / Boulevard St Laurent / St Laurent Blvd Turn left onto Coventry Rd Turn left onto Belfast Rd Turn right onto CheminTremblay Rd Turn left onto road Arrive on the right
• Estimated distance to the hotel: 10.0
• Cost of Train: varies according to destination

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2019 

Sunday, October 20, 2019

HOT Course Descriptions

• New car technology, including hybrids 
• Quick stabilization 
• Rapid extrication 
• Resources 
• Truly understanding rescue tool operations and how to maximize their power. 

Recruitment: A Path to Success

Professional Development Workshops and Presenters

Keynote Speaker: London Fire Brigade Commissioner Dany Cotton

Dany joined the fire service in London in 1988 being posted first to Wimbledon fire station as a recruit firefighter. Three months later she attended the Clapham rail disaster where 33 people lost their lives. Dany was transferred to Tooting Fire Station a few years later, and then in 1993, she applied for her first promotion. This move took her to Wandsworth fire station to a notoriously difficult watch.  It was a very difficult period in Dany’s career, but she persevered and 18 months later transferred to a different watch at Wandsworth where she was fortunate enough to work with two other women firefighters.

Dany moved stations and worked through the ranks becoming the 1st woman station officer in the UK Fire Service in 1998 and then subsequently undertook a number of different roles in boroughs and at head quarters.

In March 2012, Dany was promoted to Assistant Commissioner becoming one of the highest ranking woman firefighters in Europe, and then as Director for Safety and Assurance in one of the world’s biggest and highest profile fire brigade’s, becoming a significant public figure in the sector of emergency services. She has served in many roles and has taken this wealth of experience and knowledge to the upper echelons of brigade management where she works tirelessly to improve firefighter safety and opportunities for others. Dany is currently the Chair of the WFS (Women in the Fire Service) and strives to develop the considerable talents of those around her.

Dany has attended a number of high profile incidents including Clapham train crash a few months after leaving training school, the Cutty Sark fire in 2007, she was in charge of a 40 pump fire on the day of the Olympic closing ceremony and since taking charge of the London Fire Brigade as Commissioner she has led the Brigade during major incidents including the terrorist attacks at London Bridge and Finsbury Park and the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower.

Dany was appointed as the first woman Commissioner in January 2017 to lead the London Fire Brigade (LFB) in its 153 year history.

Dany was ‘Public Servant of the Year’ in 2002 and was the first woman to be awarded the Queen's Fire Service medal in January 2004, voted among the most influential women in London in 2011 and won the ‘First Women Award’ in the Public Sector category in 2014 and ‘Most Influential Woman in Fire’ award in 2015.

Dany regularly gives interviews regarding public safety and about her role as a senior female representative of the fire service. She has built an extensive online portfolio of interviews to Reuters, Sky TV and numerous National Television outlets as well as representing the Brigade in smaller online interviews and in the print media. 

Dany’s efforts have been recognized internationally, being added as the only non-American entry in ABC’s “Twelve Amazing Female Firefighters” in 2011 and she has worked closely with brigades around the world to further our understanding of fire behaviour. She regularly represents the LFB at national and international events and strives to promote opportunities for women in the fire service. Notably she delivered the keynote address to the Fire Safety Asia Conference in Singapore, representing national interests in front of 1200 high level international delegates from across Asia.

Leadership
Presented by Dany Cotton

In this session, Dany will cover women as leaders and leadership in times of crisis.

Women can lead very differently to men and we should celebrate and embrace that difference. However, sometimes it can be difficult for women leaders to find role models and mentors in male dominated organizations. It is vitally important to stay true to yourself and your values and not try to be somebody you are not.

Dany believes that we only ever really discover our true inner strength when we have to lead under pressure.  She will to explore how to build personal resilience to allow us to be the best we can be in times of extreme pressure or stress.

MC for the Opening Ceremonies
 

Annette's broadcasting career started in the city where she was raised: Windsor, Ontario.  She worked as a Reporter/Anchor for AM800 CKLW. Then went on to become the Weekend Newscaster on News Talk Radio 1290 CJBK in London. In 2002, Annette joined The New WI (now CTV Windsor) as a Videographer/Anchor. In 2006, Annette joined A-News Ottawa and has held the positions of Videographer, Reporter, Weekend News Anchor, CTV Morning Live News Anchor, and now Host.

Annette brings a wealth of experience and credibility to the show every morning, keeping viewers informed and entertained. She’s covered everything from municipal and federal politics, to crime, and personal stories of cancer survivors in Ottawa.  She also produced and hosted special broadcasts on sensitive topics such as sexual abuse against children, and concussions in sports. A highlight of her career was a trip to the Philippines in 2011 where she filed stories on the work being done by World Vision, with a focus on issues facing women and children living in poverty.

When Annette is not on the air, she volunteers her time emceeing various galas and events in Ottawa. She served as a board member for Breast Cancer Action, and has been recognized by the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation with the Victory Award.  She volunteers with her dog, Jack – a golden retriever – certified with Ottawa Therapy Dogs – at a senior’s home for women suffering Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

But the most important work she does is at home, as a wife and mother to two young daughters.

When I Doubt Myself and Other Women (Part 1) Confronting Internalized Sexism (for women only)

When I Doubt Myself and Other Women (Part 2) Healing Deeper (for women only)

Breaking our Silence - Courageous intervention of racist, sexist or any hurtful behaviors (for everyone)
Presented by: jona olsson

Program Description:
When I Doubt Myself and Other Women (Part 1) – Confronting Internalized Sexism
This workshop encourages women to examine the harmful impact of a lifetime of sexist messages that can cause competent women to doubt their own judgment, competence and leadership capacity, and those of other women. Self-confidence is a requirement for success in the fire/emergency service. Most female responders have overcome many of the sexist comments, behaviors and policies that challenged them in reaching their current positions, but their own, internalized sexism may still be holding them back. Participants will confront the internal doubts, the effect on performance and support of other female firefighters, and explore ways to overcome those doubts.

When I Doubt Myself and Other Women (Part 2)–Healing Deeper
Leadership in the fire service demands self-confidence, and trust of one’s own knowledge, judgement and capabilities. While most women have successfully challenged sexist comments, behaviours, policies and organizational structures to get to their positions, the impact of internalized sexism often still holds us back–since a lifetime of sexist messages causes us to doubt our judgement, our competence, and our leadership capacity. Picking up from Part 1, we’ll help each other dig deeper and explore strategies to interrupt our patterns of self-doubt, and to support other women, so we can all perform our very best.

Breaking our silence - Courageous intervention of racist, sexist or any hurtful behaviors
When good people are silent, they allow racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, anti-semitism, anti-Islam, and all other forms of oppression to persist unchallenged.

Fire service personnel should be inspired and equipped to provide respectful support and advocacy, rooted in justice, for their colleagues and all communities they serve. Personnel must also be trained and empowered to intervene in oppressive or hurtful behaviors they witness.

In this session, participants will practice their skills of intervening in oppressive behaviors while working to re-build trust, using real-life, fire service scenarios.

jona olsson is the director of cultural bridges to justice and Asst. Chief of Latir Volunteer Fire Department in New Mexico, US. jona has presented for IAFC, IAFF, FBU, i-women, CAFC, FSWO, London and Edinburgh Fire Brigades, Ottawa and Calgary Fire Departments, Australasian Fire and Emergency Authorities Council, Women and Firefighting Australasia (WAFA) plus many other agencies in the U. S., Canada, UK and Australasia. She was named 2012 Volunteer Chief of the Year by Fire Chief Magazine and IAFC. In 2015 she received the first Ambassador Award from FSWO. jona lives with her wife, Jane, and several rescued 4-footed friends.

Fake It Until You Make It: Crushing Imposter Syndrome in Its Tracks
Presented by: Denise Roy

Most of us have probably been there at one point in our life. Maybe it was when you got your first big job, or maybe it was just after your last promotion. That little voice inside your head quietly says, “What if I’m not ready”.  Or, more subversively, “What if they find out that I’m an imposter”?

Join me while we explore imposter syndrome.  We will discuss our own imposter experiences, explore the science behind the syndrome, learn the difference between imposter syndrome and low confidence, learn how to crush imposter syndrome in its tracks and then try out some exercises to make that happen.

Denise Roy is a human resources executive, with 20 years of experience in human resources management, specializing in driving workforce engagement in evolving environments.  Denise is currently the vice president of human resources at The Cooper Group, which owns and operates a number of privately and publicly held organizations, including Cardinal Couriers Ltd.  She is also Founder of DKRHR.

Denise completed her human resources education in 2005 and received her Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation in 2006.  She also has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo.  Today, she is midway through the Master of Human Resources Management program at York University. 

Resilience In Action
Presented by: Ali Rothrock

Ali Rothrock will share her story of experiencing trauma in the fire service. She will speak about the factors that lead to a PTSD diagnosis, including a sexual assault. She will talk about the cultural similarities that exist in all firehouses and the challenges that women face in the fire service. She will spend time delving into mental health issues that impact firefighters including the stress continuum and suicide. Attendees will walk away feeling hopeful that mental health struggles can be overcome.

Ali Rothrock is an author, educator and speaker who has given over 500 presentations nationwide. Ali has worked as a sexual assault and domestic violence counselor and has enjoyed thirteen years in the volunteer fire service. Ali is the author of Where Hope Lives, which she published in 2010 and is currently writing her second book, After. She is the CEO and Lead Instructor of On the Job and Off, an online platform dedicated to building more resilient first responders. Ali is a Certified Trauma Responder through the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists. She lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with her husband.

Fire, Smoke, Water, Oxygen – Everything You Wanted to Know About Fire Dynamics but Were Afraid to Ask
Presented by: Chief Peter McBride

Fire dynamics is the study of how fires start, spread and develop. Sizing up fire conditions is a critical assessment skill for operational decision-making and tactical level responder safety. This lecture will explore fire dynamics through an overview of the From Knowledge To Practice curriculum materials and will highlight novel models for understanding and communicating fire. The student will have free access to extensive web-based student manuals and curriculum materials, https://www.firedynamicstraining.ca/ for review and for their fire department’s use.

Chief Peter McBride is the division chief of safety & innovation with the Ottawa Fire Services. Peter’s mandate is to deliver service excellence by building a learning and safety culture for, and with the 1500 members of the Ottawa Fire Service. Peter recently lead a $1.2 million Canadian Safety and Security Program grant directed at the development of a fire dynamics program for the Canadian Fire Service entitled “From Knowledge To Practice”. The project addresses gaps between the science of fire dynamics and current firefighting strategies and tactics and includes operational industrial hygiene as part of the project objectives in advancing fire fighter’s understanding of Fire Literacy.

Drones: the Who, What, When, Where & How of Fire Fighting Workshop
Presented by: Paul St-Onge - Coordinator/Professor - La Cité Collégiale

The purpose of this workshop is to provide an interesting opportunity to understand the ways UAVs/drones are being integrated by fire services and first responders in Canada and abroad. Drones offer a great opportunity to gather information ranging from significant incidents to large-scale events that provide additional situational awareness for first responders and incident command.  This information can help keep firefighters and other responders from unnecessary danger and support decision making affecting search & rescue, forest fires, disasters, hazmat incidents and incident management decisions. Participants attending this workshop will be provided a brief explanation of the new June 1, 2019 regulations from Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) regarding piloting UAVs in Canada. Attendees will also have the opportunity to see an assortment of drones equipped with IR cameras, video and additional capabilities in fire detection and suppression with open discussions regarding technology today.  A demonstration of various UAVs/drones will be conducted during this experiential and scenario based workshop by accredited pilots.

Paul St-Onge dedicated to learning and teaching, has devoted his life and career to teaching crisis intervention, scenario based training and experiential learning practices.

He has 30 years of experience in emergency situations training. His philosophy has always been to keep teaching simple but efficient. His involvement in many organizations allows him to keep updating his knowledge of emergency training matters.

Paul has been teaching since 1988 at the college level. In 1990, Paul was hired by La Cité collégiale, in Ottawa, as a full-time professor in physical training and crisis intervention. He now teaches Police Foundations and Pre-Service Firefighter and Training programs.

La Cité collégiale has inaugurated its leading edge 911 Institute – Emergency Services Training Centre, on its main Ottawa campus. Paul spent two years collaborating on the planning and design of the building, while consulting with 911 emergency services, to create a cutting-edge training facility. The Institute was built to meet the specific training needs of emergency services students.  The 911 Institute at La Cité has been recognized as a leading edge training facility on a national and international level.

To continually upgrade his skills, Paul does tireless research to keep the courses he teaches current and works on his own professional development. He continues to widen his qualifications by exploring different aspects of emergency response work, for example by participating in field placements and by closely collaborating with law enforcement and emergency service partners.

The Hidden Hazards Among Us
Presented by: Tawnya Roberts

Several case studies will be reviewed to highlight the very volatile and unexpected environment fire service members may find themselves in and the different methods to mitigate and address those serious situations including joint operations with other agencies as well as the importance of post incident debriefs.

Topics in the case studies will include:
• “Storage Wars”- The day a meth lab was delivered
• “Capitalizing on our most vulnerable”-Human Trafficking, addiction recovery and drug operations in former hotels

Tawnya Roberts is a program specialist with the Office of the Fire Marshal Inspection and Enforcement Unit. As a strong advocate of the power of fire prevention, she has provided dynamic leadership for over 15 years in shaping fire safety standard enforcement across Ontario by developing and delivering educational seminars and mitigation strategies to support fire service leaders in utilizing their extensive legislative powers to save lives. From mitigation of extreme hoarding situations, execution of entry warrants to addressing “immediate threat to life” situations, Tawnya Roberts highlights the significant impact, purpose and strategies surrounding fire safety enforcement.

Origin and Cause Investigation
Presented by: Brandon Northrup

The science behind origin and cause investigation has three distinct areas of responsibility: municipal, provincial and private. Private fire investigation and the possibility of subrogation (i.e. financial recovery of the loss payment) is often a resource many in the fire service are not aware of. Private fire investigations work within the insurance industry to determine the cause of fire incidents and categorizing those incidents into one of four classifications identified within NFPA 921. Further, the private fire investigator has a unique avenue to prevention and the mitigation of future incidents with regards to origin and cause determination related to the insurance industry.

Brandon Northrup is a forensic fire investigator with Pario Engineering and Environmental Sciences LP, specializing in origin and cause investigation.  Pario Engineering and Environmental Sciences LP is a wholly owned subsidiary of SCM Insurance Services LP.

Brandon completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Service Administration in 2017, and is currently pursuing a Master of Emergency Service Management Degree.  Further, Brandon holds a Fire and Safety Diploma from Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC), Company Officer Diploma, Ontario Fire College, and both Fire Administration and Fire Leadership Certificates from Dalhousie University.

Brandon holds professional designations as an Executive Chief Fire Officer (ECFO), Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI), Graduate Member Institute of Fire Engineers (GIFireE) and Certified Municipal Manager III (CMMIII) in addition to 11 NFPA certifications.

Firefighters' Toxic Exposures: Translating Science to Action
Presented by: Jennifer Keir

Firefighters can be exposed to a variety of toxic, cancer-causing chemicals during fire suppression. This is of particular concern since studies have found firefighters to have higher rates of cancer compared to the general public. This course will summarize some of the past and present research on cancer rates, particularly in female firefighters, and exposures to toxic chemicals in the fire service. Facts and myths about the efficacy of certain exposure reduction procedures will also be covered.

Jennifer Keir, MSc, is a research associate and PhD student at the University of Ottawa studying toxic exposures to combustion-derived substances. She completed her master’s degree in chemical and environmental toxicology at the University of Ottawa where she worked with Ottawa firefighters to assess their exposures during on-shift, emergency fire suppression. Jennifer also has bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and health science from the University of Western Ontario.

• "What dooms women is not their actual ability, but rather the decision not to compete".
• Individuals (help to): establish personal goals, make independent informed choices and are able to identify resources and supports to help them achieve personal goals.
• Learning self-advocacy skills develops self-determination skills, which fosters increased personal satisfaction and happiness.
• Individuals learn through opportunities and experiences to explore, take risks, learn from consequences, become self-motivated, develop positive self-esteem and gradually gain control over their lives.

• Placing shared responsibility and accountability for professional achievement and advancement of members between its leaders and members (particularly those from traditionally marginalized groups).
• Must be linked to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategies.
• Leadership is a central component which drives strategies.

Tanya Zayed currently works as a Learning Advisor for Global Affairs Canada’s Centre for Intercultural Learning where she works on Diversity and Inclusion, Gender Based Analysis and Bias Awareness. She also oversees the military and police intercultural effectiveness training programmes. Ms. Zayed has 17 years of experience working on the marginalization of children and youth in both conflict and non-conflict settings. As a consultant, Ms. Zayed recently worked on the prevention of radicalization of youth to violent extremism with Georgia State University and the US Department of Defense’s Minerva Research Initiative, as well as with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Ms. Zayed has been a consultant for UNICEF and Justice Rapid Response and worked with the Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative for eight years. She made her way from Project Coordinator to Deputy Director and Head of Training. She has designed, developed and facilitated child protection training for national defense and security forces, including face-to-face and e-learning curricula.  As a subject matter on the impact of war on children, her extensive field experience includes building child protection capacity for national and international actors in wide variety of country contexts: the African Great Lakes Region (Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda); West Africa (Sierra Leone); Southern Africa (Botswana), South America (Bolivia, Colombia); and the Middle East (Jordan, Lebanon). She holds a bachelors degree in Criminology from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s degree in Conflict Studies from St. Paul University. Originally from Canada, she is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, and has basic knowledge of Arabic. 

Inspector Debbie Miller has over 25 years of policing experiences. She was one of the first five black female officers hired by Ottawa Police in 1994. She was born in Jamaica and immigrated to Canada with her mother and three brothers. Debbie   graduated Carleton University in 1993 with a BA in Sociology/Anthropology. She was the first recipient of the Ottawa Police Service Thomas G Flanagan Scholarship (1993). This scholarship is given to a Racialized female and or Aboriginal female with an interest in Policing.
 

In 2008 while she was seconded to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Insp. Miller collaborated with the International Youth Advisory Congress (IYAC) on a national strategy which focused on Online Safety and Security for youth.  The knowledge and skills from this (first of its kind) project were implemented by schools and policing agencies across Canada as an added tool for combating the exploitation of young people. Insp. Miller’s current role is leading the Ottawa Police Customer Unit.  This unit is unit responds to non-emergency calls for service. Prior to her promotion, Insp. Miller successfully lead the recruitment unit, where she was instrumental in changing how Ottawa Police Service recruited and hired qualified diverse candidates by identifying and eliminating systemic barriers in the hiring process. She also used sports as a means of community engagement.  She partnered with Ottawa Hoopstars basketball team, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment group (OSEG) to rebuild trust in marginalized communities that historically did not trust the police. Insp. Miller highlighted Ottawa Police and policing nationally through a robust communication strategy, which incorporated Social Media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. She recruited a dynamic Outreach Recruitment Team that team engaged the community by hosting virtual ride alongs and information sessions. Inspector Miller’s recruiting unit was the first in Canada to introduce Job-Posal’s as an innovative method to notify a candidate that they have successfully passed the hiring process.
 

Insp. Miller has been recognized for her service through numerous awards including: Ontario Women in Law Enforcement (OWLE) Mentorship Award 2007, profiles in Diversity Journal- Profiled in this American Leaders journal (one of only two Black Canadian leaders profiled in 2008), Global Community Alliance Community Builders Award- 2009, IODE Canada (Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire) Community award (2012), The Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal for Community service (2012). Recipient of the 2019 Member of Order of Merit of the Police Forces (MOM) award.
 

When not working, Insp. Miller spends time with her husband, who is also a police officer (Staff Sergeant) and two grown daughters. She actively reads, plays sports and enjoys pursuing her love of photography. Debbie is an avid community volunteer, where she mentors, women and youth, while participating on boards of directors. She believes that all of us have a responsibility to give back to the community we serve.
 

Finally, Insp. Miller’s is committed to changing the culture of policing. She is committed to opening doors for those that traditionally did not see policing as a possibility for them, to creating the next generation of innovative police leaders.
 

Peer Support and a Unified Tri-Service Approach
Presented by: Lorraine Downey, Alain Pellegroms and Brent MacIntyre

Learn how the City of Ottawa’s first responder peer support teams have worked to break down silos and stigmas, and how they are actively engaged in supporting their colleagues and each other.  The Tri-Service Peer Support Coordinators from fire, police and EMS will outline their beginnings, challenges and what they have learned over the past 2 years of working together to build their peep support network.

Lorraine Downey has been an Ottawa Paramedic for 13 years and coordinator of the peer support program since 2014.  Her combined role as front line medic and coordinator of the 50 member peer support team provides great challenges and satisfaction.  As co-chair of the First Responder Mental Health Network Collaboration she is working on a pilot project first responder clinic. Lorraine is a business graduate with background in team building, corporate training and marketing. The peer support team was awarded the Royal Mental Health "Transformational Leader for Mental Health Award" (March 2019).

Alain Pellegroms has been a firefighter for 11 years and training officer for the past year with Ottawa Fire Services (OFS). Previous to this, he served with the Canadian Armed Forces as a medic for 21 years in Canada and internationally. In 2017, Al set up a 35 member peer support team for the OFS.  He has implemented mental health programs including OFS Partner Day, which invites family members into the fire service, giving them information on the mental and physical challenges of a firefighter.  He believes that education, training with a well-developed anti-stigma campaign are the strongest components for resiliency.

Brent MacIntyre has been a police officer for 21 years, with the Niagara Regional Police Service and for the last 18 with the Ottawa Police Service.  Throughout his career, Brent has worked in, criminal investigative, emergency operations and patrol services.  Since 2017 he has served as a sergeant in charge of peer support within the health safety lifestyles and wellness section. He assists members experiencing life challenges and implements concrete measurable responses for the organization wellness plan.   Brent is a strong advocate for members’ personal mental health and believes that members are stronger when working in a team environment to overcome challenging circumstances.  

Situational Awareness & Incident Decision Making
Presented by: Dr. Katherine Lamb MIFireE, MSc (Oxon), BSc (hons)

Understanding the incident and how it is likely to develop is essential to implementation of appropriate tactics and incident actions.

• What do I need to know?
• What do the answers to my questions mean?
• Can I anticipate what the incident will look like in 20 minute’s time?

Assertive, effective and safe all hazards commanders: A Commander who has all these qualities will be dynamic, reactive and balanced, happy to make decisions and lead the incident.

• But what makes somebody an effective commander?
• How should you develop and nurture those skills?
• When should you start that development process?
• How should you measure this competence?

Every fire department has got a different answer to these questions, yet they are all providing almost identical services and solutions.

During the session, Dr. Lamb will discuss scenario-based command training which develops and importantly maintains these command competencies, allowing commanders to develop their skills in a safe environment.

Dr. Katherine Lamb is a respected authority on the training and assessment of incident command and crisis decision making. She received her MSc from the University of Oxford and her doctorate at the University of London. She worked as an accomplished researcher before joining the fire service in 2004. During her fire service career, she served in Birmingham, Manchester and Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Services, where she held many operational roles, including station manager within the incident command training team.

In 2015, she established Effective Command, a charitable organization which develops the concept of the thinking commander, someone who has the capacity to deal with the unexpected. This development tool is accredited by several professional bodies and academic institutions and is used to train and assess incident command competence and crisis decision making. It is widely used throughout the international emergency response community for the training of crisis decision makers.

This course can be taken as a stand alone workshop, or as an extension of Paul St Onge's CPAT Prep Course for participants wishing to pursue firefighting as a career and practice the skills required, from physical testing to interviews, to get hired in this increasingly competitive field.