Sheila Finlay Shooting Star Scholarship – Igniting Excellence in the Fire Service

August 6, 2025

✨ Introducing the Sheila Finlay Shooting Star Scholarship ✨

Fire Service Women Ontario (FSWO) is proud to launch the Sheila Finlay Shooting Star Scholarship – Igniting Excellence in the Fire Service. This scholarship, generously donated by Sheila Finlay, offers four full registration awards to the 2025 FSWO Symposium in Oakville, Ontario.

Inspired by Sheila’s tradition of gifting stars to first responders, this award celebrates resilience, gratitude, and the shining potential of fire service professionals across all roles and divisions. 🌟

Are you ready to elevate your fire service career and join a network of trailblazing leaders?


Thanks to the generous donation of Sheila Finlay, we’re excited to announce four full registration scholarships(valued at $745 each) for the 2025 Fire Service Women Ontario (FSWO) Symposium, taking place October 23–25, 2025, in Oakville, Ontario.

Please note: This scholarship covers registration fees only. Transportation, meals outside the symposium, and hotel accommodations are not included.

About Sheila Finlay

FSWO is proud to recognize Sheila Finlay as its first Honorary Ambassador, celebrating her resilience, generosity, and advocacy for women in non-traditional roles.

After surviving a devastating car accident in 2002, Sheila has expressed deep gratitude to the firefighters and first responders who helped save her life. Known for gifting a star to every first responder she meets, Sheila continues to inspire and support those in the fire service. Moved by initiatives like Camp FFIT and the Annual Training Symposium, she has become a passionate supporter of FSWO, helping to create opportunities for women across the fire service.

Why Apply?

This award is more than a ticket—it’s a career-changing opportunity to connect, learn, and grow with over 200 fire service professionals from across Canada and the U.S. Over three empowering days, you’ll experience:

✅ Hands-On Training (HOT): High-rise firefighting, rescue techniques, tactical entry & more
✅ In-Class Sessions: Leadership development, Resilient Minds, fire investigations
✅ Inclusive Networking: Connect with fire service professionals at every level—from frontline to chief
✅ Awards Gala & Socials: Celebrate achievements and build lasting professional bonds

Who Should Apply:

  • Suppression personnel
  • Fire prevention officers
  • Communications specialists
  • Training officers
  • Any fire service member or ally committed to professional growth

Eligibility:

  • Must be an active FSWO member
  • Must be actively engaged in the fire service (career, volunteer, wildland, or paid-on-call)
  • Open to all fire service roles and divisions, including suppression, prevention, dispatch, emergency management, training, and support services
  • Your department must not be covering your FSWO Symposium registration fee

Not a member yet? Join FSWO today to be eligible: https://fswo.ca/membership

Selection Criteria:

Recipients will be selected based on their:

  • Commitment to professional development within the fire service
  • Leadership potential at any level—frontline, support, or leadership
  • Dedication to advancing equity, inclusion, and representation across all divisions of the fire service

How to Apply:

Submit your application by September 15, 2025 here: Click Here to Apply Now

  • Number of Awards: 4 scholarships available
  • Notification Date: Recipients will be notified by October 1, 2025

Recipient Expectations:

Award recipients may be asked to share highlights from their symposium experience to help inspire future applicants and promote future scholarship opportunities.

📧 For questions, contact: symposium@fswo.ca