Learn More about FSWO

Board of Directors

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  Tracey Shields

  President

  Tracey Shields has been actively involved with Fire Service Women Ontario (FSWO) since the organization’s formation in 2009 and currently serves as President. Her journey in the fire service began in 1999 when she made history as one of the first three women hired as firefighters with Ottawa Fire Services.

  Over the past 27 years, Tracey has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to the profession. She became the first woman in Ottawa Fire Services to be promoted to Lieutenant and later Captain in the suppression division, and she is now the first woman to qualify for the role of District Chief.

  Throughout her career, Tracey has taken on a number of leadership roles within FSWO, including Registrar, Symposium Chair, Vice-President and now President. Her long-standing commitment to the organization has helped shape its growth and impact, with membership expanding from just 25 members in 2009 to more than 900 today.

  Tracey is a passionate advocate for recruiting, retaining, and advancing women in the fire service. In addition to her leadership with FSWO, she volunteers as an instructor with Camp FFIT and regularly participates in initiatives that encourage and support the next generation of women in the profession.

  A proud mother of four boys, Tracey has balanced her demanding career with family life, gaining valuable experience across multiple divisions of the fire service during periods of modified duties, including Administration, Training, and Air Management. These experiences have reinforced her belief in the importance of collaboration and the vital role every division plays in the success of the fire service.

  Tracey remains deeply committed to FSWO’s mission and firmly believes in the power of women supporting women. Through her leadership and advocacy, she continues to work toward building a stronger, more inclusive fire service for the future.

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  Kalpana Rajgopalan

  Vice President

  Kalpana Rajgopalan currently serves as Deputy Fire Chief with the Oakville Fire Department, where she oversees Fire Prevention, Public Education, and External Stakeholder Engagement. Her career includes 17 years of progressive leadership in fire services, emergency management, and public safety key leadership roles with Emergency Management Ontario, the Office of the Fire Marshal, and Mississauga Fire & Emergency Services. She has contributed to national response efforts during the G8/G20 Summits, the Syrian Refugee Program, and the COVID-19 pandemic. A recognized leader and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the fire service, Kalpana has been instrumental in advancing certification standards in Ontario to align with international best practices. She is equally passionate about mentorship, experiential training, and developing the next generation of fire service professionals. In 2022, Kalpana co-founded Blaze Fire Academy, a regional initiative backed by all four Halton municipalities. Blaze creates career pathways for young women and underrepresented groups, offering hands-on training and a supportive environment to explore the fire service. Kalpana’s contributions were recently recognized with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, awarded by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs for her service to public safety and emergency management.
  

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  Susan Jones

  Executive Director

  Susan Jones serves as the Executive Director of Fire Service Women Ontario (FSWO), a leading advocacy organization dedicated to encouraging, educating, and empowering women in the fire service. She brings a wealth of leadership experience drawn from a distinguished 37-year career in municipal government with the City of Ottawa.

  Before retiring, Susan served as the Acting Deputy City Manager of City Operations, overseeing numerous municipal departments. She also held the role of General Manager of Emergency and Protective Services, where she provided executive oversight of Ottawa Fire Services, Paramedic Services, Corporate Security, Emergency Management, and By-law Services. Throughout her career, Susan has been recognized for her collaborative leadership and commitment to strengthening emergency services and community safety.

  A long-time champion for advancing women in leadership—particularly in traditionally male-dominated professions—Susan played an instrumental role in the early development and growth of Fire Service Women Ontario and initiatives such as Camp FFIT (Female Fire Fighters in Training). She previously served on the FSWO Board of Directors and as an International Trustee with the International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Services (iWomen).

  Susan’s leadership has also been recognized nationally. She is a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, awarded in recognition of her demonstrable, significant, and sustained contributions to the fire service across Canada. She was also proud to stand alongside her Fire Service Women colleagues in receiving the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs’ nationally recognized Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award for the groundbreaking research project “United by Equity: Building a National Network of Inclusive Fire Leadership.”

  Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Carleton University and was a Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor, having completed a post-graduate program in Addiction Studies at McMaster University. In 2016, she received the FSWO President’s Trailblazer Award in recognition of her groundbreaking leadership and advocacy on behalf of women in the fire service.

  Married with three sons and a proud grandmother of four, Susan remains deeply committed to advancing inclusive leadership and strengthening opportunities for women in the fire service across Ontario and Canada. She is honoured to continue this work in her role as Executive Director of FSWO.

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  Kristy-Lynn Pankhurst

  Secretary

  Kristy-Lynn Pankhurst is the full-time Training Officer for Scugog Fire & Emergency Services, with previous experience as a Fire Prevention Officer and Volunteer Firefighter. She also serves as the Association President for the Scugog Professional Firefighters Association. Kristy-Lynn holds an undergraduate degree in Communication and Digital Media Studies from Ontario Tech University and is currently pursuing her Master of Education in World Indigenous Studies at Queen’s University. In 2020, Kristy-Lynn was injured during a propane explosion that occurred while fighting a house fire. She has since become an advocate for First Responder mental health, sharing her story of resilience and recovery after a near miss. Kristy-Lynn is a mother of two young girls, and remains dedicated to advancing FSWO’s mission to encourage, educate and empower women in the Fire Service.

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  Kate Jamieson

  Communications Director

  Kate Jamieson is a firefighter in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and has been a dedicated member of both the RCAF and firefighting community since 2014. She is currently posted to 14 Wing Greenwood, where she serves as the Chief Fire Inspector. Before joining the military, Kate attended Memorial University for a year of general studies before transitioning to college, where she earned diplomas in Journalism and Public Relations. She previously worked in communications with the Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union before embarking on her military career. Additionally, she has been a fitness instructor since 2009. In 2023, Kate spearheaded a groundbreaking professional development initiative for women in RCAF firefighting, organizing a trade-wide tasking for members to attend the Fire Service Women Ontario (FSWO) Training Symposium. She secured funding from the Professional Conduct and Culture department, as well as the Canadian Forces Fire Marshal’s office, ensuring financial support for all female-identifying firefighters to participate. This initiative marked a significant step forward in addressing gender underrepresentation within military firefighting. Kate remains committed to uniting the firefighting community nationwide and advancing the mission and values of FSWO.

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  Terri Allen

  Director-at-large

  Terri Allen brings nearly two decades of progressive leadership experience in emergency services to her role on the Fire Service Women Ontario Board of Directors. She currently serves as the Fire Chief and Department Manager of Fire Protection Programs at Bruce Power, where she leads a team of more than 100 professionals responsible for supporting emergency response and fire protection at an eight-reactor nuclear facility.

  Throughout her career, Terri has held a range of operational and leadership roles including Fire Brigade Member, Training Instructor, Emergency Management Drills Specialist, Shift Response Manager, and Section Manager. These experiences have shaped her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to building resilient, high-performing teams where people are supported, empowered, and given opportunities to grow.

  Terri’s roots in emergency services extend beyond her work at Bruce Power. She previously served as a part-time Primary Care Paramedic for Bruce County and as a volunteer firefighter in Lucknow.

  A strong advocate for lifelong learning, Terri recently completed her Bachelor of Applied Business in Emergency Services while working full-time and raising her daughter. She is passionate about advancing leadership opportunities for women in the fire service and is proud to support Fire Service Women Ontario in fostering a stronger, more inclusive future for the profession.

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  Mary Campbell

  director-at-large

  Mary Campbell is a dedicated fire service leader and nuclear fire safety professional with a strong passion for advancing women in the fire service. Over the past four years with the Saugeen Shores Fire Department, she has pursued extensive professional development, completing multiple NFPA designations including Fire Officer I, Incident Safety Officer, Technical Water and Ice Rescue, Auto Extrication, and Hazardous Materials certifications, along with training in legislation, fire code, community risk assessment, and the Incident Management System.

  Since joining her department as the only female firefighter at her station, Mary has helped foster a more inclusive environment that has since welcomed six additional women through mentoring and advocacy.

  Committed to supporting and empowering women in the profession, Mary is passionate about creating opportunities for growth and development within the fire service. She is particularly interested in expanding access to professional training opportunities, including NFPA certification pathways, and supporting initiatives that encourage more women to participate in events such as the FSWO Symposium. Through collaboration, mentorship, and leadership, she is committed to helping Fire Service Women Ontario continue to grow its impact and support the next generation of women in the fire service.

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  Melissa Gennaro

  director-at-large

  Melissa Genaro serves as a Division Chief with Toronto Fire Services, bringing a unique perspective shaped by experience in strategy, operations, and leadership within complex public-sector environments. Her career has been grounded in collaboration, adaptability, and leading through change.

  Working within one of North America’s largest fire services has reinforced Melissa’s belief that strong leadership is built on trust, clear communication, and inclusion—especially in moments that matter most. As a woman in the fire service, she recognizes the importance of representation and the responsibility that comes with it.

  Melissa is committed to using her experience to help remove barriers, elevate diverse voices, and support the success of others in the profession. She brings governance experience along with a strong commitment to mentorship, advocacy, and connection. Melissa is proud to support the mission of Fire Service Women Ontario and contribute to strengthening and advancing the fire service community.

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  Louise Hine-Schmidt

  director-at-large

  Louise Hine-Schmidt recently retired as a Deputy Chief with Ottawa Fire Services and is one of the first of three women firefighters hired in 1999 in the City of Ottawa.

  Louise is one of the three founding members of FSWO who also helped to establish Camp FFIT(Female Firefighters In Training) which has served as a model for other fire services from across Canada. Louise is honoured to have served as the first President of FSWO from 2009-2011 and then again from 2015-2019.

  Louise is an accomplished athlete who represented Canada at the Pan Am Games in 1987 winning two silver medals in sprint kayaking. She is married to Brent for over 32 years, and they have a daughter who is an Olympian on the Canadian National sprint kayak team and a son who is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.

  Louise has an honours BPhEd (University of Ottawa), an Executive Diploma in Municipal Management (Western Ontario/Seneca College) and a Certification in Dispute Resolution, (York University).

  With a membership that grew from 3 to over 1000, Louise is incredibly proud of the impact FSWO has had in improving diversity and inclusivity in Canada’s fire service. Louise’s many years as a member of the Board Executive helps to provide the organization with the experience and leadership needed to contribute to the overall success of FSWO.

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  Samantha Hoffmann

  Director-at-Large

  For over 30 years Samantha Hoffmann has worked her passion for community safety and fire prevention. She specializes in fighting fires before they start, with education campaigns that weave informative and fun community campaigns and partnerships with her own public speaking and published articles. Her fire career began at the internationally renowned Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto as Fire Marshal and Emergency Planning Co-Ordinator. She took the exacting standards she experienced there to North York's fire department in the rank of firefighter with the duty of Fire Prevention, Public Education and Media. When North York amalgamated and became Toronto Fire Service, Samantha worked as Acting Captain until 2011 when she joined Barrie Fire as the Public Fire and Life Safety officer, eventually becoming the Acting Chief Fire Prevention Officer. In 2022 Samantha became Deputy Chief, Community Safety and Administration for Caledon Fire and Emergency Service. In each role, Samantha has lived the moniker of front line safety responder. In 2001, she was part of the Toronto Fire CISM Team at Ground Zero in New York. The experience galvanized her passion for safety and support for those in the fire service. Samantha was honoured with a Firefighter of the Year award from the Islamic Foundation of Toronto for her work with Critical Incidence Stress and Employee Assistance. With Barrie Fire, Samantha and the Fire Prevention team received many awards and accolades for their work in Public Education and Community Outreach; they received the Bernard A. Moyle Excellence in Education Award, from 2014 to 2019 they received multiple IAFF Media Awards annually. In 2014 Samantha was named Public Fire and Life Safety Educator of the year award by the National Fire Protection Association; only the second Canadian and first Ontario educator to receive it since its inception. When she is not at work or attending conferences or volunteering with organizations she believes in, you'll find Samantha hiking in the woods or on the soccer field, cheered on and bolstered by her husband of 30 years, 4 children and 1 grandchild.

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  Danica Burg

  Student Director

  Danica Burg is a student in the Fire Prevention and Technology program at Durham College and serves as the Student Director for Fire Service Women Ontario. Her passion for the fire service began in high school during a co-op placement with Scugog Fire & Emergency Services, where she discovered a strong interest in fire prevention and public education. It was also during this time that she first experienced the impact of mentorship, particularly from women in the fire service.

  Danica is currently in her final year at Durham College, maintaining a GPA of 4.57. During her studies, she volunteered with the Campus Emergency Response Team, responding to emergencies and supporting preparedness initiatives across campus. She has also completed an additional co-op placement and gained volunteer experience with Clarington Emergency and Fire Services.

  Danica is proud to serve as a Volunteer Firefighter Recruit with Scugog Fire & Emergency Services. She is passionate about supporting other students entering the profession and believes strongly in the power of mentorship, visibility, and empowerment. Through her role with FSWO, Danica hopes to help students build confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging within the fire service.

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  Pike Krpan

  Past President

  Pike Krpan has been a firefighter since 2012. She is an Acting Captain and Incident Safety Officer at the Hamilton Fire Department. In 2015, she founded Camp FFIT (Future Firefighters in Training) Hamilton, an annual three-day camp held every fall at Hamilton Fire's training facility for young women aged 16-20. Since 2015, Pike has also served the FSWO community in several roles. She recently completed her Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management at Algonquin College. She is also pursuing her Executive Chief Fire Officer designation via the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. She was the only Canadian fellow in the 2024-2025 International Association of Fire Chiefs Diversity Executive Leadership Program. Pike was the recipient of a full Honeywell Scholarship to FDIC 2016. She studied Pre-Service Firefighter Education at FESTI (Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute) in 2012 and was hired within six months of her graduation. Pike brings a varied background to her career in the fire service. She completed her Masters of Arts at the Ontario Institute of Education in Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, focusing on women's issues in education. Previously, she worked in international development education in diverse countries such as Cuba, Ecuador and Jamaica after completing an undergraduate degree in International Development and Women's Studies at Trent University. Pike is a mentor who assists those considering a career in the fire service. She has also promoted women in firefighting with the Women in Trades program of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and the YWCA Hamilton. In 2019, she was nominated for a YWCA Hamilton Woman of Distinction Award for her work in education and mentoring. Pike loves to introduce people to the challenge of firefighting.

Committees