Tuesday - Health and Safety Workshop

Health and Safety Day - Tuesday November 18

Section 21 Committee Update

The Ontario Fire Service Section 21 Advisory Committee, established under Section 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, provides the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training & Skills Development with advice and recommendations on occupational health and safety matters specific to Ontario's fire service. The committee also develops and reviews guidance notes for firefighters, as well as providing consultation on regulations, policies and programs that may impact the fire service.

This session will provide an update on the Section 21 Committee work, review recent incident/accident/injury trends, review recent inspection trends, and engage in discussion on emerging firefighter health & safety issues.

Presenters:

Fire Chief Harry Baranik, Bayham Fire

harry Harry began his fire service career in 1999 with the Town of Erin Fire and Emergency Services (Nee: Hillsburgh and District Fire Dept.), finishing there as the Deputy Chief. In January 2012, Harry joined the Muskoka Lakes Fire and Emergency Services as a recruit and in 2013 was promoted to Deputy Chief. In 2018, he obtained his BA in Justice and Public Safety Studies from Guelph Humber. In 2018, he also became a member of the OAFC Health and Safety Advisory Committee. In August 2020, Harry left Muskoka Lakes to become the Fire Chief for the Municipality of Bayham Fire and Emergency Services. In 2022, he was appointed to the Section 21 Committee as a representative for the OAFC. Harry is also an adjunct instructor with the OFC and has completed all four NFPA Officer Levels.

Chris Boccinfuso, Provincial Specialist, MLITSD

chris Chris Boccinfuso joined the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (MLITSD) in 2004 as an Industrial Health and Safety Inspector. Over his 20-year career, Chris held progressive positions as a Regional Program Coordinator, District Manager and as a Provincial Specialist in the Occupational Health and Safety Branch. In 2022, Chris was seconded to the Ministry of Long-Term Care as the Senior Manager, Compliance and Enforcement where he launched a new investigations program for that ministry. Recently, he returned to OHSB as the Provincial Specialist and his current portfolio includes the fire services.

Chris has a bachelor’s degree from Royal Roads Military College in Military and Strategic Studies. He lives in the Niagara Region with his wife and 2 adult children. Chris shares his world with 6 frisky cats and is always looking for coupons for cat litter!

Fire Chief Aaron Burridge, Ajax Fire

aaron Fire Chief Burridge is responsible for Ajax Fire and Emergency Services, working closely with the Deputy Chiefs.

Fire Chief Burridge started as a volunteer firefighter with Ajax in May 2000 and was hired as a full-time firefighter in January 2001. He progressed through the ranks to a qualified Captain, Training Officer, Chief Training Officer, Deputy Fire Chief in October 2016, Interim Fire Chief in December 2022 and was named the Fire Chief in June 2023. Fire Chief Burridge serves as a member of the OAFC Health and Safety Committee and is an OAFC representative on the Ministry of Labour Section 21 Committee.

Fire Chief Burridge is a graduate of the Ontario Fire College and Toronto Metropolitan University and has throughout the course of his career acquired significant education from a variety of post-secondary school institutions in the following fields of study: Fire Emergency Service and Rescue, Fire Protection Systems, Fire Protection Technology, Collective Bargaining, Public Administration, Occupational Health and Safety and Labour Relations.

Deputy Chief Rob Grimwood, Mississauga Fire

rob Rob Grimwood is a Deputy Chief with the City of Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services where he oversees the Professional Development & Accreditation and Communications Divisions, along with serving as the Management Co-Chair for the Joint Health & Safety Committee.

Formerly Rob was a Deputy Chief for the City of Vaughan Fire & Rescue Service and the Fire Chief in the City of Dryden, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Haldimand County. He has also served as a Firefighter with the City of Toronto.

He worked as a Paramedic for 20 years and spent nine years as the Paramedic Chief in Haldimand County.

He has been a member of the fire service for the past 29 years, the last 17 of which have been in various senior leadership positions. He is the President of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC), Management Co-chair of the Ontario Fire Services Section 21 Committee and an instructor for Dalhousie University’s Fire Service Management Program.

Fire Chief Jeff Kirk, Springwater Fire

jeff In March of 2020, Jeff joined the Springwater Fire & Emergency Services team as the Director of Fire & Emergency Services. Prior to his new position he was the Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Orillia. He has been a member of the fire service for the past 44 years of which the last 18 years have been in a senior leadership role. Jeff also served with the Department of National Defense, Greater Toronto Airport Authority and the Township of Essa in various firefighting roles. He currently serves as a OAFC Zone 6 Leader, serves on the OAFC Provincial Health & Safety Committee and an OAFC member on Section 21.

Mark Pankhurst, AMO Representative

mark Chief Pankhurst is presently a District Chief with the Algonquin Highlands Fire Services and Mark had recently retired from the Ajax Fire and Emergency Services after more than 36 years of fulltime service. Mark has proudly served as a "double hatter volunteer firefighter" for over 20 years as well.

Firefighter health and safety including mental health and wellbeing are initiatives that Mark has championed over his career. He is also a very strong advocate of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within the fire services.

Over the years, Mark has lost many colleagues, friends, and family members to devastating job-related cancers, and he has implemented many strategies to reduce acute and chronic exposure to carcinogens.

This has been accomplished through new fire station design and renovations including exhaust extractors, proper bunker gear washing facilities, the development of decontamination and hygiene practices, and the implementation of many other recommended elements contained within the Cancer Prevention Checklist.

Mark has been a member of the Ontario Fire Services Section 21 Committee since 2011, and he is a graduate of the Ontario Fire College, Toronto Metropolitan University and Trent University.

Ricardo Romero, Health and Safety Consultant, PSHSA

Ricardo Romero is a Health and Safety Consultant with the Public Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA), where he supports public sector organizations in enhancing occupational health and safety systems. With designations including CRSP, CHSC, and CDMP, Ricardo brings over 15 years of experience in developing and implementing safety programs, with a specialized focus on first responders, municipal services, and disability management. He has led numerous initiatives related to mental health, ergonomics, and return-to-work strategies. Passionate about practical, boots-on-the-ground safety leadership, Ricardo is committed to helping organizations translate legislation into real-world prevention.

Dan Worrall, OPFFA Co-Chair

dan Dan Worrall CD is Fire Captain with the Municipality of Clarington where he started his career as a volunteer in 2002, then transitioned to a career firefighter in July 2004.

Dan also serves as the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association Health and Safety Chair where his responsibilities have him organizing, developing, and addressing issues that affect the over 12,000 career firefighters in Ontario.

Dan represents Labour as the MLITSD Fire Section 21 Fire Co-Chair. Through his work on Section 21, in 2023 Dan was appointed to the Prevention Council of Ontario for workplace health and safety.

In 2023 Dan was asked to sit on the Board of Directors for the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council. Dan has recently retired from the Canadian Armed Forces (Reserve) where he spent over 36 years serving Canada where he had held various full time and part time positions, which included both domestics and international operations.

Dan holds an OFC Company Officer certificate and is also an Adjunct Instructor with the OFC. Additional qualifications include teaching Resilient Minds, an instructor’s qualification for the RCMP First Responder Terrorism Awareness and Counter Terrorism Information Officer. He holds a Diploma from Durham College in Public Relations.

Updates to NFPA Standards and Impact on Users

Learn about recent and upcoming proposed changes in NFPA standards related to PPE and restricted substances. How these changes are impacting the supply chain from the fiber, fabric and garment level as well as fire brigades. In addition to end use products, learn about the changes related to care and maintenance of PPE and how that is impacting fire brigades. Relevant standards are NFPA 1970, NFPA 1850 and more.

Presenter: Karen Lehtonen

karen Karen has been with LION since November of 2000. As Sr. Vice President of Global Innovation and Product Development she is responsible for product, fabric and material developments in all markets. She also oversees the innovation pipeline, certification of all product lines and the operation of the Lion Lab.

Karen started her career in 1995 testing products for the fire service with a third party testing and certification organization. It was during this time that she began serving on NFPA technical committees for fire and emergency services products.

Currently, with LION Karen serves on 7 NFPA technical committees, is a past Chair of the ASTM F23 protective clothing committee and serves on the board of directors for the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI).

Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training & Skills Development Occupational Illness Inspections

Many Ontario fire departments have had inspections by Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training & Skills Development (MLITSD) Inspectors and/or Hygienists in response to the submission of occupational illnesses to WSIB and/or the MLITSD. These inspections examine fire department cancer prevention programs and look at training, procedures and record keeping. There are lessons to be learned from the inspections that have already taken place, in order to prepare Chiefs for future inspections. This presentation will feature Chris Boccinfuso, a Provincial Specialist with the Occupational Health & Safety Branch of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training & Skills Development sharing what the expectations will be during these inspections, how the Ontario Firefighter Cancer Prevention Checklist may be used by departments and the knowledge gained from previous inspections to prepare fire departments for future ones.

Presenter: Chris Boccinfuso, Provincial Specialist, MLITSD

Chief Officer Peer Support Program Update

The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs will provide a brief update on the OAFC Chief Officer Peer Support Program, including presenting utilization metrics, program coordination, and ensuring all members are aware of the program capabilities and peer support team members.

Presenters: OAFC Executive Director Mark MacDonald and OAFC Program and Policy Advisor Shaun Cameron

Respiratory Protection Programs

In Ontario, fire departments are required to implement a comprehensive Respiratory Protection Program (RPP) to safeguard firefighters from airborne hazards such as smoke, toxic gases, and particulates encountered during fire suppression, overhaul, and investigation activities. This program is governed by several key regulations and standards, including Ontario Regulation 833 (O. Reg. 833) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Ontario Regulation 490/09 (Designated Substances), and various Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines

This presentation will review applicable legislation, components of a written respiratory protection program, respirator selection, training, fit testing, maintenance, air quality and decontamination

Presenters: Tim Metcalfe

tim Tim Metcalfe has over 41 years experience working as and in support of first responders in Ontario. He has worked for all three emergency services and as a health and safety professional for the last 25 years. Tim is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), Company Officer Diploma, Training Officer Diploma and Advanced CBRNE from the Canadian Counter Terrorism Technical Centre-DRDC.

Incident Safety Officer Utilization Panel

Utilization of an Incident Safety Officer at major incidents is more than a best practice, it is something the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training & Skills Development will expect is being done should something happen. Different fire departments take different approaches to the utilization of Incident Safety Officers; and the goal of this panel is to look at how five different fire departments of different sizes and demographics utilize Incident Safety Officers. This session will explore their ISO deployment model, how they integrate into their incident command systems, what training they are provided and how they function.

Presenters:

Fire Chief Aaron Burridge, Ajax Fire

aaron Fire Chief Burridge is responsible for Ajax Fire and Emergency Services, working closely with the Deputy Chiefs.

Deputy Chief Drew Boys, Burlington Fire

drew Deputy Chief Drew Boys brings over 20 years of progressive experience in the fire service. He began his career as a firefighter in the Town of Caledon and has since held leadership roles including two Division Chief positions with Brampton Fire, Deputy Chief with Oakville Fire, and currently serves as Deputy Chief with Burlington Fire.

At Burlington Fire, Deputy Chief Boys oversees the Training Division, Communications Division, Apparatus & Maintenance Division, Critical Infrastructure, and all mission-critical technology. He is leading the department’s transition to Next Generation 9-1-1, including modernization of both the primary and backup Fire Communications Centres, and is a key stakeholder in Halton Region’s implementation of the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS).

He has contributed to various strategic initiatives throughout his career. Deputy Chief Boys previously chaired the OAFC Large Urban 13 Technical Rescue Working Group, is a member of the Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN) Innovation Alliance and formerly chaired the Humber College Fire Service Program Advisory Committee. He currently serves on the OAFC Communications Committee and Membership Committee.

He holds a Business Administration Certificate from York University and the Certified Municipal Manager III (CMM III) designation from the Ontario Municipal Management Institute.

Platoon Chief Gary Mosburger, London Fire

gary Gary Mosburger is a Platoon Chief Manager with the London Fire Department. London is a large urban department, with 14 fire stations and over 400 suppression firefighters. Gary has been in the fire service for 32 years and has been with the City of London for 26 years.

Fire Chief Mark Schmitt, Fort Erie Fire

Mark Schmitt is the Fire Chief for the Town of Fort Erie, which serves a Town of approximately 36,000 people from four stations staffed with 100 volunteer suppression firefighters, and supported by 15 volunteer public educators, and responding to approximately 1,100 calls annually.

Mark has 33 years in the fire service, having started as a volunteer firefighter in Fort Erie and promoted up to District Chief (volunteer) in 2017, Deputy Chief in 2020 and Fire Chief in 2022. He also served as a career firefighter with the City of Mississauga from 2009 to 2020. He is also heavily involved in training and is an Adjunct Instructor with the Ontario Fire College, including instructing the Incident Safety Officer program.

Fire Chief Jo Zambito, Niagara Falls Fire

zambito Chief Jo Zambito has served in the fire service for over 30 years, beginning his career in January 1995 as a volunteer firefighter with the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. In 2005, while holding the rank of Captain, he was appointed the municipality’s first full-time Deputy Fire Chief. In 2016, Chief Zambito joined the Niagara Falls Fire Department as Deputy Chief of Operations, overseeing Suppression and Training for a department known for its specialized training needs. He was appointed Fire Chief for the City of Niagara Falls in 2021.

Throughout his career, Chief Zambito has remained committed to advancing the three lines of defense—public education, code enforcement, and emergency response—and has actively served on numerous regional and provincial committees representing the fire service.He is particularly proud of receiving an Honourable Mention from the Conference Board of Canada for his role in developing an innovative regional public education program in Niagara, created in collaboration with his colleagues and still in use today.

In 2024, Chief Zambito was appointed Regional Fire Coordinator by the Ontario Fire Marshal. In this role, he oversees the Provincial Mutual Aid Plan for the Niagara Region, ensuring the effective coordination of local and provincial fire resources when needed. Chief Zambito places strong emphasis on continuous professional development and has pursued extensive ongoing education throughout his career in leadership, emergency management, and public administration. This lifelong learning approach has supported his ability to lead complex initiatives and respond to the evolving demands of the fire service—particularly in a thriving tourist community that welcomes over 14 million visitors annually.

Chief Zambito is particularly proud of receiving an Honourable Mention from the Conference Board of Canada for his leadership in developing an innovative regional public education program in Niagara, created in collaboration with colleagues and still in use today. Most notably, in July 2025, he was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal, presented by Solicitor General Michael Kerzner.

With a foundation in architecture and code analysis, Chief Zambito is known for his collaborative leadership style and commitment to performance excellence. He is also a strong advocate for the mental wellbeing of staff, believing that supporting the health and resilience of personnel is essential to building a strong, resilient organization.

Moderator: Fire Chief Ed Melanson

Ed Melanson is the Director of Fire Services/ CEMC for the Town of Saugeen Shores and has been an emergency responder for over 20 years. Chief Melanson is also the President of the Bruce County Fire Chiefs Association, Alternate Fire Coordinator for Bruce County and a Director on the Board of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. He is a member of several provincial advisory committees including officer certification, hazardous material response, incident commander, and incident safety officer. Ed teaches both firefighting and leadership courses throughout the province and is a lead evaluator to ensure certification compliance. He strongly believes in the safety of our fire service members through training while being a strong advocate and supporter of mental resiliency and service inclusivity initiatives. As Saugeen shores Community Emergency Management Coordinator, he is responsible for the emergency planning and public education compliance requirements for the municipality.

Managing Firefighter WSIB Claims

Ontario’s 30,000 firefighters, career and volunteer, have specific WSIB presumptive legislation related to occupational illness which makes their claims process unique. This session is intended to assist attendees with understanding the WSIB process and with managing firefighter WSIB claims and supporting firefighters and their families through this process.

Gavin Jacklyn is a Captain with the Brantford Fire Department and the Chair of the OPFFA Occupational Disease Committee and has assisted hundreds of firefighters with WSIB claims, as well as teaching association members how to effectively advocate for members filing for WSIB. John Snider is the Fire Chief with the Orangeville Fire Department, and prior to that co-chaired the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters WSIB Committee. Pascal Meunier is the Fire Chief for the Carleton Place Fire Department, and in addition to his role as a Fire Chief, will share his lived experience as a firefighter who has recently gone through the occupational illness WSIB process.

Presenters:

Captain Gavin Jacklyn, Brantford Fire Department

gavin Gavin has been working for the Brantford Fire Department since 2002. He currently holds the rank of Captain and currently qualified to act as a Platoon Chief. Since 2007 he has sat on the executive board of the Brantford Professional Fire Fighters Association with the position of Health and Safety Chair. He is the Co-Chair of the JHSC and looks after all WSIB claims and non -occupational injuries and return to work. In 2013, Gavin was appointed to the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association Occupational Disease Committee and has been chair of that committee for 11 years. In this current role he facilitates all occupational disease claims before the WSIB and the Tribunal. He works with injured workers, families of injured workers and estates and cover all aspects of the claims and end of life care. Gavin has sat as a Board of Director on OHCOW (Ontario Heath Clinics for Ontario Workers) since 2018 and has been fortunate enough to assist with the Mcintyre Project and the Rubber Works Project. In his spare time he coaches rugby at Brantford Collegiate High School and the Brantford Harlequins Rugby Club level for over 15 years. Gavin enjoys camping and traveling wherever the next trip will take us.

Fire Chief Pascal Meunier, Carleton Place Fire Department

pascal Pascal Meunier is the Fire Chief for the Carleton Place Fire Department, where he leads a dedicated team serving a growing community. With decades of experience in the fire service, Chief Meunier has served in both frontline and leadership roles in composite fire departments.

In addition to his operational leadership, Chief Meunier has served as the OAFC PAC 8 Chair for the past eight years, working closely with municipal fire services to advocate for training, safety, and legislative improvements that benefit firefighters across Ontario.

Chief Meunier also brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to the discussion on occupational illness claims. He has firsthand experience navigating the WSIB process as a firefighter diagnosed with an occupational illness, giving him valuable insight into the challenges firefighters and their families face when accessing support and entitlements.

He remains committed to advancing health and safety best practices, promoting mental health awareness, and supporting improvements that protect Ontario’s firefighters.

Fire Chief John Snider, Orangeville Fire Department

john John Snider, Fire Chief of the Town of Orangeville, brings over 30 years of influential experience in public safety and emergency management. John worked for 7 years as a volunteer firefighter prior to joining Toronto Fire Services where he retired after 25 years of firefighting experience as a Captain. His leadership journey includes roles as Assistant Deputy Fire Marshal for Training and Certification and Deputy Fire Marshal for Field Advisory and Technical Services at the Office of the Fire Marshal. These positions underscore John's dedication to enhancing the proficiency and operational standards within Ontario's fire services.

While a firefighter with Toronto Fire Services, John's impact extends to his former position as co-chair of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Association's WSIB Committee, where he supported hundreds of firefighters with their WSIB claims. His work was vital during the implementation of presumptive legislation for PTSD for first responders, reflecting his advocacy for mental health and wellness within the firefighting community. He successfully represented more than 50 TPFFA members at WSIB and WSIAT appeals, demonstrating his commitment and expertise in occupational illness and injury claims.

In his session, "Managing Firefighter WSIB Claims," John will share his knowledge and experience navigating the WSIB process, elaborating on the unique challenges posed by presumptive legislation and supporting firefighters in the return-to-work process. Participants will gain from his comprehensive experience in guiding and supporting firefighters and their families through complex claim mechanisms.

Mental Health Collaborative Table Update

The Ontario Fire Service Mental Health Collaboration Table, established by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, is actively working to improve mental health support for firefighters across the province. Key updates on their actions indicate a multi-faceted approach:

Development of a Comprehensive Mental Health Program: The province is investing over $32 million in the new Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel (MHS4PSP) program. This includes a web portal (Warrior Health) for public safety personnel, providing access to core services like internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy and peer-support tools, as well as a 24/7 call-line and other trauma-informed mental health services.
Anti-Stigma Strategy: A crucial component of the MHS4PSP program is the creation of an Anti-Stigma Strategy. This aims to foster work environments where firefighters feel confident seeking mental health support, reducing the stigma often associated with mental health challenges. This strategy includes a dedicated website with resources, a leadership support network, and training for leaders to better support mental health within their organizations.
Emphasis on Peer Support: The importance of peer support is being highlighted, with initiatives like the "Everyone Needs Backup" program, which focuses on opening conversations and connecting individuals with support resources. There's also ongoing support for peer support services and resources through various programs.
Training and Education: Programs like "Resilient Minds™," designed by firefighters for firefighters, are being promoted to build resilience and psychological well-being. There's also a focus on providing training to equip leaders with the skills and knowledge to support mental health.
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: The table continues to facilitate collaboration among stakeholders, subject matter experts, and public safety personnel with lived experience. This includes broad knowledge sharing through initiatives that aim to make information and resources readily available.
Focus on Early Intervention and Prevention: There's a push for programs that promote mental health resiliency and skills for managing stress related to traumatic experiences, indicating a proactive approach to mental well-being.
Support for Families: The Ontario Immediate Family Wellness Program is being implemented to support the mental health and well-being of families of Ontario public safety personnel.

Overall, the Ontario Fire Service Mental Health Collaboration Table is driving systemic change by focusing on accessible support services, destigmatization efforts, and fostering a culture of mental health awareness and resilience within the fire service.

Presenters:

Deputy Chief Jeremy Inglis

jeremy Deputy Fire Chief Jeremy Inglis serves the Oakville Fire Department, where he is responsible for Training and Support Services, as well as digital and technological advancements, including records management and innovation. With over 17 years of experience in the fire service from various municipal departments, including Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Central York Fire Services, and Oakville. He has also been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Pin and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Beyond his role in Oakville, Deputy Chief Inglis is also actively involved with the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) where he holds the positions of Treasurer and Chair of the OAFC Industry Committee. In addition to these roles, he is also the Board Alternate for the OAFC Zone Leaders and the OAFC Board Representative on the Mental Health Collaboration Table.

Academically, Deputy Chief Inglis holds a Mechanical Engineering Technology diploma from Mohawk College, numerous qualifications and certifications in various National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) disciplines, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration from Brock University.

Fire Chief Jeremy Parkin

jeremy Jeremy Parkin is the Director of Emergency Services for Rama First Nation where he oversees the fire department, paramedic services and emergency management divisions. His 25-year career includes volunteer firefighter experience with several departments. Jeremy has been an active member in various local, provincial and federal boards and committees. And as the Vice President of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs he is a strong voice for public and firefighter safety. With a background in training and certification, he also focuses his attention to diversity, equity and inclusivity within the fire service. He is also the President of the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council and is heavily engaged in promoting fire safety in First Nation communities. He also has extensive work in emergency management programs and training.

2025 Annual General Meeting

Tuesday - Health and Safety Workshop

Health and Safety Day - Tuesday November 18

Section 21 Committee Update

Updates to NFPA Standards and Impact on Users

Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training & Skills Development Occupational Illness Inspections

Chief Officer Peer Support Program Update

Respiratory Protection Programs

Incident Safety Officer Utilization Panel

Managing Firefighter WSIB Claims

Mental Health Collaborative Table Update