Toronto Metropolitan University
We are proud to share that Debbie Higgins, a distinguished alumna of our Bachelor of Applied Geography program, has been honoured with the 2024 President's Trailblazer Award by Fire Service Women Ontario (FSWO). This award recognizes individuals whose commitment and perseverance have significantly advanced the role of women in the fire service.
Debbie recently completed a 6-month appointment as Interim Deputy Fire Chief of Administration with the Guelph Fire Department. Previously, she served as Deputy Chief at Toronto Fire Services, where she managed portfolios including finance, budgeting, labour relations, and professional development. Her leadership and strategic vision have been instrumental in fostering innovation and inclusion within Ontario's fire service community.
Reflecting on her education in a previous interview with us, Debbie credited her success to the skills developed during her time at the university. She highlighted the application of geographic analysis in various aspects of fire service operations, such as station location analysis and risk-based planning. This underscores the diverse career paths available to graduates of the BA in Geographic Analysis, as the program is now called.
Ever since the 1970s, this degree has equipped students with transferable skills applicable across multiple sectors. Debbie's achievements exemplify the impactful careers our alumni can pursue, showcasing the versatility and applicability of a geography education in addressing complex, real-world challenges.