Saturday: In-Class Session Descriptions
In-Class Session Descriptions
Saturday, October 28
Fitness: Strengthening Your Core to Eliminate Injury
Instructor(s): Kate Durst
Start your day the Pilates way. Join Coach Kate to move, breathe, strengthen and tone through movements that will leave you feeling ready to take on the day.
Kate Durst lives in northern Ontario and loves to wear a variety of hats in her daily life (mainly touques). She is co-owner of Discover Fitness/Discover Performance Inc., co-owner of Discover Virtual. She is a personal trainer, spin coach, and Pilates instructor. She is the Executive Director at the low-barrier homeless shelter, the Living Space. Kate is mom to two amazing boys and is the loving partner to Cheryl Hunt.
She is very excited to be included in the 2023 FSWO Symposium and looks forward to delivering her own kind of “burn” to the participants and hosts attending.
**Please bring a yoga or exercise mat
Effective Command: How to Implement Incident Command Strategies
Instructor(s): Dr. Katherine Lamb
As a junior officer or aspiring junior officer, you should attend this program. Using table-top scenarios and virtual simulation you will be provided with multiple incidents to discuss, practice, and implement incident command strategies. This session will focus on developing rational decision makers who can appropriately manage incident risk, implement appropriate strategies and tactics, and importantly can justify the why behind their decisions.
Dr. Katherine Lamb is a respected authority on the training and assessment of Incident Command decision making. Katherine worked as an accomplished research academic before joining the Fire Service in 2004. During her Fire Service career, Katherine served in multiple UK Fire departments, her final post was Lead Officer for incident command training and assessment.
In 2015, Katherine developed Effective Command, a behavioral marking system for the assessment and recording of incident command competence. This development tool is accredited and endorsed by professional bodies and used Internationally as the Best Practice methodology to train and assess incident command competence.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity in the Fire Service – An International Perspective
Instructor(s): Anik St-Pierre
Worldwide, the number of women in the fire service has slowly increased over time, yet we know little about international initiatives and approaches.
This workshop will present various equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives implemented internationally by members of the women fire safety commission. Participants will be asked to share local initiatives.
Anik St-Pierre served as an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces before refocusing her career in fire safety.
She holds the position of diversity and inclusion advisor at the Montreal Fire Service and leads a team of committed individuals in search of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the most important fire safety service in Quebec.
She is the chair of a diversity and inclusion committee where she works with the human rights commission and major fire services to find concrete solutions to the underrepresentation of women, indigenous people, visible and ethnic minorities.
Anik represents Canada on the commission for women in fire safety (CTIF) and is the international trustee for Women in fire.
Crisis or Opportunity: Dealing with Crisis While in a Crisis
Instructor(s): Collen Kamps
Dealing with a crisis can be challenging, but it can be even more difficult when you are in a crisis yourself. We must remember that it is okay to take a step back and focus on your own needs during a crisis. Prioritizing your own mental health and wellness can help you to manage the crisis more effectively and be a source of support for others.
This workshop will focus on practical skills and strategies that can help build your capacity to function to your best ability, regardless of what is going on around you. The more proactive we can be at addressing the challenges around us the greater the possibility of harnessing our inner strength that helps ensure resiliency.
Colleen Kamps is a licensed psychotherapist with over 40 years of clinical experience across a variety of settings including inpatient and outpatient mental health, crisis intervention, specialized trauma programs, education, and private practice. She is also a professor at Centennial College, and Simon Fraser University. Additionally, Colleen also provides clinical consultation, training, and crisis support to other professionals in the fields of healthcare, and public safety, and to organizations in need of crisis intervention. Colleen is the Education and Curriculum Development Coordinator at the Tema Foundation. Her passion, commitment, and dedication to helping others are what keep her striving forward to make life easier for those who need support.
Yoga Techniques to Stay Mentally and Physically Strong and Fit
Instructor(s): TJ Robbins
This session will begin with core strength postures designed to build a healthy and safe foundation for all movement, on or off the job. With the body properly warmed, participants will be lead though a series of stretches to reduce muscle and joint tension and increase range of motion. The class will finish with breathing and meditation techniques that participants can use to make the most of their working and resting SCBA airtime.
**Please bring a yoga or exercise mat
TJ Robbins is a Lieutenant at the Milton Fire Department. She is a member of the Specialty Rescue Team and a Director at FSWO where she serves on several committees. TJ has been a yoga teacher for over 15 years with 20 years of personal practice. Her focus on meditation and breathing has combined well with a fire service career.
Understanding the Importance of Mindset and Science Behind It
Instructor(s): Julia Long
Learning Objectives: In this session, we will:
- Define neuroplasticity and how it relates to mindset.
- Explore the science behind how mindset influences your daily life; and
- Identify how to shift your personal mindset to improve health, decrease stress and become more resilient in work and life.
Julia Long is a Certified Workplace Mindfulness Facilitator with Mindful Leader (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction – MBSR) and she offers sessions in workplaces, including Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness Strategies.
She is a Certified California College of Ayurveda (CCA) Yoga Nidra (positive affirmations / mindset) Teacher and Teacher Trainer based in Ottawa, Canada. She has been teaching and providing CCA Yoga Nidra sessions in groups and privately for many years. She is currently the only Classically-based Yoga Nidra Teacher Trainer in Canada (CCA-YN).
She is also a Certified Canadian Fitness Professional (CanFitPro), an Advanced Sivananda Yoga and Kundalini Yoga Teacher. She has over 1000 hours of yoga training, including trauma-informed movement. She is a Continuing Education Provider for Yoga Alliance (International).
She has 2 sons who are First Responders which spawned the creation of FRY Canada. She has seen and heard how their duty has changed them and increased their stress levels. The demands of their jobs were impacting their physical and non-physical wellbeing.
Julia holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Laws and was a practicing lawyer. She has used her skills as a leader in the federal arena to help keep chemical substances of concern out of the Canadian environment.
She is an author, writing and publishing in various journals on topics of mindset and wellbeing, including Canadian Firefighter.
Julia has classed herself as a “mobile wellness provider” travelling to talk, teach and study.
Scene Size ups for the Upcoming and New Officer
Instructor(s): Capt. Jenn Dawkins
This is designed to introduce size up to upcoming and brand-new officers to build confidence!
This will include basic introduction to building types and system to deliver a windshield size up and secondary size up followed by practice session.
Jenn Dawkins is a Captain in Suppression with Vancouver Fire Rescue Service, the largest department in BC where she has worked for over 23 years. Before that she was a Volunteer firefighter for 3 years in Maple Ridge Fire Rescue. During her career Jenn has been part of several specialties including Hazmat, Heavy Rescue and HUSAR- Can TF1. When not working as one of only 3 women frontline Officers she can be found working in the VFRS Training Division where she assists with several portfolios including the Officer Development Program. She is also Sessional Instructor for the Justice Institute of BC where she teaches both the Pre -employment program and the Company Officer Program.
Jenn was a board member for FSWO and is now the founding President for Fire Service Women BC. Jenn is also the former recipient of the FSWO Pink Helmet of Courage Award.
Butane Honey Oil (BHO) Fire and Explosion Investigations
Instructor(s): Jason Williams
Fires and explosions occurring at Marijuana Butane Honey Oil Extraction (BHO) operations have increased significantly over the past several years. There are inherent hazards and dangers associated with the extraction process due to the volatile fuels utilized by the manufactures of the illicit marijuana concentrate product. The incidents which are occurring at the illegal drug producing facilities have caused serious injuries, property damage and even death to those involved in the manufacturing process and members of the public. This course will provide the student with knowledge related to BHO Operations, the hazards associated with the production of BHO and to first responders as an awareness of materials/items utilized in these operations that may be located during fire suppression activities.
Jason Williams is currently the Director of Protective Services for the Municipality of Port Hope where he oversees Fire and Emergency Services, Building Services, Municipal Law Enforcement and Emergency Management. Prior to this, Jason was employed with the Office of the Fire Marshal-Fire Investigation Services where he held positions as a Fire & Explosion Investigator, Training Officer, and Specialist. Jason has published several papers and articles in relation to fire investigations and expert evidence in his field and has qualified as an expert in the field of Fire Investigations, Fire Dynamics, and Drug Lab Operations in all levels of court in the Province of Ontario. Jason is also a Part Time Professor for the Seneca College Fire Protection and Engineering Program as well an adjunct instructor with the Ontario Fire College. He sits on the advisory committee for the Humber College Forensic Identification Program as well as holding the position of Executive Director for the Province of Ontario for the Canadian Association of Fire Investigators.
When I Doubt Myself and Other Women - Part 1 -- Virtual
Instructor(s): jona olsson
Facilitated by: TJ Robbins
NOTE: This session is open to women only.
This workshop will be presented virtually, live from jona’s home in New Mexico. This session will encourage 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 as well as that of other women. Self-confidence is a requirement for success in fire/emergency service. Most female responders have overcome many of the sexist comments, behaviours and policies that challenged them 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.
jona olsson is the director of cultural bridges to justice, offering cultural diversity programs for non-profit groups. She is the Fire & EMS Chief of the Latir Volunteer Fire Department in northern New Mexico, having served as Chief for 16 years. Joining her two passions – emergency service and social justice – jona offers programs to individual departments, brigades, and fire conferences in the U. S., the UK, Canada and Australia. jona lives in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico, with her wife, Jane, and several rescued, 4-footed friends, Tumbleweed the 21 year old cat and Bader, the 6 month old puppy.
Hoarding
Instructor(s): Jennifer Cooper and Katrina Nedeljkovich, OFM
Explore critical insights into hoarding and fire safety in our upcoming presentation. Delve into the unique challenges posed by hoarding tendencies, their potential impact on fire risks, and effective mitigation strategies. Join us to grasp the connection between excessive clutter and heightened hazards and learn how to enhance prevention and response protocols. This presentation equips fire safety professionals, emergency responders, and community stakeholders with the knowledge to identify, address, and mitigate fire risks associated with hoarding behavior.
Mastering Social Media: A Guide for Women Firefighters in Canada
Instructor(s): Kristy-Lynn Pankhurst, Kathryn Hendrick and Nicholas DeFazio
This highly interactive presentation is designed to empower female firefighters with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective and ethical use of social media. Participants will explore the landscape of key social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok, understanding their unique characteristics and potential use. The session emphasizes the importance of a well-devised social media strategy and explores the principles of strong communication in a digital environment. It includes practical tips on creating engaging content, managing challenges like negative comments and privacy issues, and strategies to maintain a positive online reputation. thoughts and experiences. The overall goal is to empower women firefighters to use social media effectively and ethically through new skills to navigate any challenges that may arise.
Kristy-Lynn Pankhurst grew up in the Fire Service. After completing co-op placements in Kawartha Lakes and Ottawa, she attended Camp FFIT, Ottawa (2015), where she learned about Fire Service Women Ontario and felt inspired to pursue her dreams. She became a Volunteer Firefighter with Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service in 2015 and began her full-time career in the Fire Service in 2017. In 2019, while working as an Inspector with Ajax Fire, Kristy-Lynn was recognized as an NFPA “Rising Star” for her efforts in risk reduction through Fire & Life Safety Education. In 2021, Kristy-Lynn began a contract with Canada’s National Indigenous Fire Safety Council, where she continues to work towards reducing the risk of fire in Indigenous communities.
In 2023, Kristy-Lynn is on maternity leave from Scugog Fire, after welcoming a baby girl into the world. Outside of the Fire Service, she enjoys spending time with family & friends and working on her backyard lavender farm.
Kathy Hendrick is a former journalist and a seasoned publicist known for her dedication to good causes and organizations. With an extensive background in communications, Kathy has spearheaded numerous successful campaigns for national institutions, including the communications leadership for the design and construction of the National Firefighter Memorial in Ottawa.
As the founding Director of Communications for the Canadian Fallen Firefighter Foundation, she has played a pivotal role in honoring the bravery and sacrifice of firefighters across the country for almost 15 years.
Kathy has held executive positions within various healthcare institutions, including hospitals, the Canadian AIDS Society, the Canadian Institute for Health Information, and the Canadian Critical Care Society. Her commitment to advocacy has led her to collaborate with multiple organizations, championing causes such as reducing the stigma and prevalence of HIV/AIDS, increasing physical activity levels in Canadians, ALS medical research, and classifying traumatic brain injury as a long-term chronic condition, among many others.
Kathy is the principal consultant at Kathryn Hendrick Communications and continues to strive for lasting impact on important causes in Canada. Her expertise in media relations and strategic communications has allowed her to provide support to Fire Service Women Ontario as an annual sponsor for the past decade.
With a diverse portfolio of experience and a relentless drive to empower good people and great causes, Kathy Hendrick is an established leader in the world of public relations.
Nick DeFazio is the Public Information Officer for the Ottawa Fire Services. Nick joined the Fire Service in 2011 and has been the Public Information Officer for the last two years. Since taking the position, Nick has set up a clear focus for the position which has been to promote the service in three specific areas: call, training and community service. With his strong understanding of social media, Nick has taken the Service's social media pages to new heights. He understands that social media is the best way to reach mass audiences. One way in which Nick has had success is through collaborations with influencers on social media and he is looking forward to sharing this success at the FSWO Symposium. He is always willing to speak with other departments and share his ideas and successes to help fellow Fire Services in the area of social media.
What is Mindfulness and How Can it Build a Strong Team?
Instructor(s): Julia Long
Learning Objectives: In this session, we will:
- Define mindfulness.
- Experience a brief guided mindfulness session (10 minutes).
- Review team mindfulness studies.
- Identify how this applies in a team environment.
- Explain why this is important for a well-functioning team.
- Learn how to apply/lead mindfulness in your team.
Julia Long is a Certified Workplace Mindfulness Facilitator with Mindful Leader (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction – MBSR) and she offers sessions in workplaces, including Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness Strategies.
She is a Certified California College of Ayurveda (CCA) Yoga Nidra (positive affirmations / mindset) Teacher and Teacher Trainer based in Ottawa, Canada. She has been teaching and providing CCA Yoga Nidra sessions in groups and privately for many years. She is currently the only Classically-based Yoga Nidra Teacher Trainer in Canada (CCA-YN).
She is also a Certified Canadian Fitness Professional (CanFitPro), an Advanced Sivananda Yoga and Kundalini Yoga Teacher. She has over 1000 hours of yoga training, including trauma-informed movement. She is a Continuing Education Provider for Yoga Alliance (International).
She has 2 sons who are First Responders which spawned the creation of FRY Canada. She has seen and heard how their duty has changed them and increased their stress levels. The demands of their jobs were impacting their physical and non-physical wellbeing.
Julia holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Laws and was a practicing lawyer. She has used her skills as a leader in the federal arena to help keep chemical substances of concern out of the Canadian environment.
She is an author, writing and publishing in various journals on topics of mindset and wellbeing, including Canadian Firefighter.
Julia has classed herself as a “mobile wellness provider” travelling to talk, teach and study.
Key Nutritional Considerations for Firefighters
Instructor(s): Jaclyn Stelmaszyk
This course will provide information on key nutritional considerations for firefighters and is for someone looking to improve health through nutrition.
After finishing this course, you will be able to identify simple ways you can change your diet to serve your firefighting career such as how to eat healthier, effectively build muscle, and identify sources of cancer-preventing foods.
Jaclyn Stelmaszyk is a probationary Firefighter with the City of Oshawa. Prior to firefighting she spent many years as a National Rowing Team athlete for Canada and Poland and went on to win the World Championship in 2012 and the Pan American Games in 2019. In addition, Jaclyn is a Registered Dietitian with many years experience in sport nutrition and in long-term care. Jaclyn is always striving to make a valuable contribution to her community while balancing motherhood, actively volunteering, and continually learning. Jaclyn was elected as the FSWO Student Director in early 2023.
