FSWO Annual Awards Gala 

Friday, October 23, 2026
Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport West/Mississauga
(1870 Matheson Blvd, Mississauga, ON L4W 0B3) 

Join us on Friday morning for one of the signature events of the 2026 FSWO Annual Training Symposium—the FSWO Annual Awards Gala.

This special morning brings our fire service community together to celebrate the people, partnerships, and achievements that continue to move Fire Service Women Ontario and the fire service forward. We'll recognize outstanding individuals and organizations, celebrate the accomplishments of the past year, and honour those whose leadership, dedication, and support are making a lasting difference.

Schedule

• 7:30 a.m. – Doors Open
• 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast Served
• 8:30 a.m. – Awards Gala Begins, featuring the ceremonial piping in of dignitaries, followed by the awards presentation and keynote address by Sandra Perron

The Awards Gala will conclude at approximately 11:30 a.m., giving attendees time to return to their rooms, change, and prepare for the afternoon.

Join us back at the Hilton Garden Inn for Leadership Without Limits – Lessons from Women Who Led First, a general session featuring an inspiring panel of accomplished women leaders from diverse backgrounds. (12:00pm-1:00pm) 

Lunch will be served as attendees hear stories of leadership, resilience, breaking barriers, and lessons learned from women who were often the first to step into their roles.

Beginning at 1:00 p.m., shuttle service will transport attendees to FESTI, where an exciting afternoon of Hands-On Training (HOT) and classroom sessions will run from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Keynote Speaker: Sandra Perron - Sponsored by YNCU

Fire Service Women Ontario is honoured to welcome Sandra Perron as a keynote speaker for the 2026 Symposium.

As Canada's first female infantry officer, Sandra Perron has spent her career breaking barriers, leading under pressure, and demonstrating the resilience required to succeed in demanding, high-performance environments.  Her experiences in the Canadian Armed Forces, combined with her work as the founder and Executive Director or the Pepper Pod, a retreat center for women veterans, offer powerful lessons that resonate with today's fire service.

Firefighters know that leadership isn't defined by rank—it's built through trust, teamwork, courage, and the ability to make difficult decisions when the stakes are high. Sandra's keynote explores what it takes to lead through adversity, build resilient teams, foster inclusive workplaces, and support the people beside you, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Sandra also has a special connection to the fire service through her father, who served as a Fire Marshal with the Canadian Armed Forces for more than 40 years.

Sandra is the bestselling author of Out Standing in the Field: A Memoir by Canada's First Female Infantry Officer, and her story has also been brought to the screen in the feature film Out Standing. Her journey is one of perseverance, service, and determination—qualities that are at the heart of the fire service.

Whether you are a firefighter, company officer, chief officer, or aspiring leader, Sandra's message will leave you with practical leadership insights and a renewed appreciation for the impact each of us can have on the people we lead and the culture we help create.