Building Leaders, Driving Change Award -- Dr. Katherine Lamb

Fire Service Women Ontario (FSWO) is proud to present the “Building Leaders, Driving Change” Special Award to Dr. Katherine Lamb for her extraordinary leadership in developing and implementing “Dare to Command”, the first-ever leadership development program in Canada designed specifically for women in the fire service.


Dr. Lamb, founder of Effective Command, has long been recognized as an international authority on incident command and crisis decision-making. With her unwavering commitment to innovation and empowerment, she created and delivered a groundbreaking program that addresses the unique challenges women face in leadership—imposter syndrome, resilience, and strategies for professional growth—while also offering a clear path forward for aspiring and current fire officers across Canada.

Her powerful sessions at past FSWO Symposiums including this year introduced a transformative learning experience, as well as a new national partnership between FSWO and Effective Command Canada. This initiative launched the Fire Officer Leadership Development Program for all FSW organizations providing members with unparalleled access to:

· A dynamic cohort of firefighters and officers advancing incident command and leadership skills aligned with NFPA standards.

· Full access to the Effective Command Canada Training Portal, offering robust training and networking opportunities.

· A supportive online peer network to foster mentorship, guidance, and professional connection.

· A dedicated Chief Officer group, tailored to the needs of senior leaders in the fire service.

Dr. Lamb’s generosity and commitment in advancing women in the fire service, kept her fees low and allowed FSWO to sponsor 25 of its members to participate in this program. Through her vision and dedication, Dr. Katherine Lamb has inspired a generation of fire service leaders to rise with confidence, resilience, and determination. Her work truly embodies the essence of Building Leaders and Driving Change.