Wednesday May 1 - Pre Event Workshops Information

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Workshop 1: FDSOA Hot Topics - 5 Reads - 8 Hours

Maximum # of participants: 36

Building on the outstanding training programs developed by Dave Dodson, The 5 Reads is a class developed by the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) for Company Officers, Incident Safety Officers and Chief Officers where they can learn to take their ability to Read 5 Critical Factors at any emergency response to the next level.

The class will review and emphasize the significance of The 5 Reads which include:

• Risk: Identification, Evaluation, Prioritization, Mitigation, and Monitoring
• Buildings: Type, Era, Use, Size, Related Hazards and Predicting Collapse
• Smoke: Volume, Velocity, Density, Color, Influencing Factors, and Predicting Fire Behavior
• Hazardous Energy: Thermal, Mechanical, Wind, Chemical, Electrical, Water
• Firefighters: Capabilities, Mental and Physical Status

Using the key information gained from reading those 5 Critical Factors plans can be formulated and actions taken to insure both effective and safe emergency response operations.

Presenters: Paul Acton and Trevor Shea

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul has been fortunate enough to work in Emergency Services for almost 40 years and has held various Chief Officer positions with Windsor Fire and Rescue Services, and also served as the Deputy Chief of Operations and Training for the Town of Amherstburg FD, from 2018 to 2022. Paul has responded as either the Incident Commander, Senior Advisor, or Safety Officer to hundreds of multiple alarm incidents involving either residential, commercial, industrial, hi-rise, bridge, tunnel, hazmat, traffic or other types of emergencies with a focus on Firefighter Safety at the Strategic, Tactical and Tasks levels. An extensive network keeps Paul abreast of current fire behaviour and science, as well as best practices in the fire service. International experiences include Emergency Management/Incident Command based consulting in Australia, Canada, USA, Qatar and the U.A.E

Workshop 2: Resilient Minds Workshop - 8 Hours

Maximum # of participants: 24

The Resilient Minds ^TM program is an evidence-informed, peer-to-peer, skill-building program designed by and for career and volunteer fire fighters across Canada to develop strategies to mitigate and better manage occupational stress and enhance personal resilience, resulting in informed and healthier teams.

• Resilient Minds course (8-hour course):
• • The Resilient Minds 8-hour course contains four modules that were developed by fire fighters for fire fighters to increase the ability to:
    • Recognize the effects of psychological stress/trauma in self and peers
    • Understand trauma-informed practices
    • Communicate with peers who may be struggling
    • Using evidence-based trauma informed approach to respond, safely, and appropriately to distressed citizens
    • Apply personal strategies for managing stress, mitigating trauma, and boosting resilience
• • All course participants receive an interactive workbook which includes:
    • Refreshers of key course concepts (the 4R Action Toolkit™, communication techniques with peers, de-escalation responses)
    • Worksheets and self-assessments
    • Robust resources customized for fire fighters (including a healthy nutrition guide, sleep habits, tips for decreasing mental health stigma, and more)

Presenter: Pauline Spiess and Steve Fraser

Pauline Spiess is a mental health educator who specializes in training first responders to effectively support their own mental health and that of their peers through skills building and education.

She holds a Master’s degree in Cognitive Science and Neuropsychology from the University of Lyon, France (2008) and is a Master Trainer for the Resilient Minds program with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). Previously, Pauline led the implementation and operationalization of Resilient Minds in Ontario, and has been heavily involved in both Francophone and Indigenous first responders-centered adaptations.

Pauline recently joined Toronto Fire Services and is proud to advocate for the mental health and well-being of first responders. Outside of work, Pauline enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and visiting her family in France.

Steve Fraser is a co-author of Resilient Minds, an approved instructor for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, and a certified Field Traumatologist. Steve has over 28 years of experience in the fire service and recently retired from Vancouver Fire Rescue Services. Steve was the coordinator of the VFRS CISM/Peer support team, managing a team of over 40 firefighters and held a full time position as Captain of Mental Health and Wellness.  During his time in the fire service, Steve partnered with the CMHA to create and deliver the Resilient Minds program.  In addition to his work with CMHA developing and delivering mental wellness education, he is actively involved with nationwide research groups. Collaborating with the University of Regina, University of PEI, Western, McMaster, Dalhousie and Firewell, a health and wellness community for firefighters. 

Through lived experiences he brings a unique, empathetic approach to the culture and issues first responders face.

 

Workshop 3: Effective Command Workshop - 4 Hours

*PLEASE NOTE THERE IS TWO EFFECTIVE COMMAND WORKSHOPS, ONE IN THE AM AND ONE IN THE PM.*

Maximum # of participants per workshop: 24

A 4 hour workshop introducing new, developing or established Incident Commanders to training tools which support officer development and skills maintenance. Suitable for Lieutenants, Captains, Battalion Chiefs, Platoon Chiefs and District Chiefs.

Presenter: Dr. Katherine Lamb

 

Workshop 4: Chief Officer 101 - All of the fundamentals every Chief Officer should know - 8 hours 

Maximum # of participants: 40 - THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL

This workshop will provide all Chief Officers (new and seasoned) with fundamental training on their roles & responsibilities as it relates to several different areas including fire prevention & public education, training & certification, health & safety, standards, strategic & master planning, community risk assessments, procedures & guidelines, budgeting & asset management, data & analytics and more.

Presenters: OAFC Board of Directors

 

Workshop 5: Inspections - "What did I just walk into?" - 8 hours

Maximum # of participants: 24

Have you walked into an inspection nightmare and are not sure of your next steps? Or want to understand what happens when your fire prevention issues one of the more infrequently utilized orders. Through a series of case studies, learn how and when to utilize non-fire code Inspection Orders, Immediate Threat to Life, and Order to Close to address fire safety and Order to Pay Costs to recoup any expenditures.

Presenters: Fire Chief Jack Burt, Division Chief Chantelle Cosgrove, Deputy Fire Chief Nigel Robinson, and Assistant Deputy Fire Marshal, Field and Advisory Services Keith Wells

Jack Burt is currently the Fire Chief with Northern Bruce Peninsula Fire & Emergency Services. Prior to joining Northern Bruce Peninsula, Chief Burt served in South Bruce Peninsula, Meaford, and in London in Chief Officer roles. Chief Burt has also served as a fire inspector, fire investigator, court liaison officer, as well as a Chief Fire Official during his 25-year career in the fire service.

Chantelle Cosgrove has been in the fire service for 26 years with Brampton Fire and Emergency Services, focusing on fire prevention. She was promoted to the role of Division Chief of Fire Prevention in 2021.   Her expertise has also been shared in an academic setting, where for 23 years, she has molded future professionals as an instructor for the Fire Protection Technology Program at Seneca College.  Further contributing to the field, she was an active member of the Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association for a decade, serving as President for the last four years of her term. Chantelle has spent her entire career dedicated to fire safety and education in the community that she grew up in, and continues to serve as an influential leader in the fire prevention community.

 

 

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