Our 2020 Online Symposium is open to everyone free of charge.
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic we adjusted our annual training symposium to a virtual format. We offered several different sessions from mental health topics to forcible entry techniques. See a full list of sessions below.
We were excited and honoured to have Ali Rothrock, the CEO and Lead Instructor for On the Job and Off, join us as our Key Note Speaker.
Our 2020 Online Symposium is open to everyone free of charge.
Professional firefighting. The path to gaining a position as a firefighter and how to be prepared mentally, emotionally and with a great resume. Overcoming those days when you just feel
beaten.
This workshop will cover:
-Lock size up
-Discuss/use various tools i.e. shove knives, K-tool, adz rex, J-tool, force wedge, mod. Framing square
-Through the lock techniques on residential, commercial, and add-on locks
-Agricultural Silo Types
-Silo Fires
-How People get trapped
-Lock-Out/Tag-Out
-Air Monitoring/PPE
-Silo Extrication
-Cutting Grain Bins
-Basic Machinery Extrication
The focus of this presentation is to discuss new FIREWELL studies that identified sex and gender
differences in firefighting task performances, prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, and
critical incident exposures. This presentation will also discuss gaps in knowledge and where we
need to go in the future.
Join TJ for an hour long yoga class with special focus on meditation. Beginning with light movements meant to warm up the body and set a calming breathing pattern, participants will start with the basic form of each posture and progress, as they see fit, to either add challenge or create ease. Whether you’ve logged hours in downward facing dog or have never heard of it, everyone is welcome. The class will finish with a guided meditation that can help settle the mind and eliminate racing thoughts that keep so many people up at night. TJ will be available after the session for questions or guidance on how to meditate on your own.
In this presentation, Board Member Chief Keri Martens and Diversity and Inclusion
Co-Chair, Laurie VandeSchoot and Executive Director Tina Saryeddine will speak to the recently
released action plan that is being implemented to help make a “Fire Service for All” in the
context of the broader work of the CAFC in the fire sector.
During our two-hour session, Firehouse Training lead instructors Adam McFadden and Cara Kabay will provide an overview of what leadership qualities are ideal in today’s aspiring firefighter candidates, as well as for those currently serving in the Fire & Emergency Services.
This specialized fire service leadership session includes:
-Defining Leadership Roles in the Emergency Services
-Understanding the Importance of Self-Leadership
-Leadership Strategies for a First Responder
-Roles of an Incident Management Team
-Leadership Development Skills
Join us to review the results of our 2020 study on the prevalence and impact of Imposter Syndrome in female fire responders in Canada. Completed in partnership with York University and FSWO. We will address an overview of Imposter Syndrome, study methodlody, results and next steps.
For complete newbies considering a career in the fire service. Join Audrey-Ann Robinson and Jennifer Gordon-Haus as they give you a guided tour through questions from “Is this even for me?” and “What’s it like being a woman in the fire service?” to “How do I get hired?” and “Is there anyone that can mentor me through this process?” In this session we will discuss everything from bunker gear and tools found on different types of trucks to how to get hired and everything in between.
-Door size up
-Mechanical advantage of Halligan bar
-How to increase force
-Conventional forcible entry inward and outward swinging doors
-Terminology and Commands
This workshop will provide a strong, basic understanding of the anatomy and function of the pelvic floor, and how it works with the rest of the inner core. Connect with your pelvic floor and learn how to integrate it into your functional activities. This will enable you to perform effortful activity more safely, reducing the risk of low back or hip injury, and protecting against the development of genitourinary symptoms such as incontinence. The relationship between the pelvic floor, trauma, and emotions will be discussed. The physical practice in this workshop is simple and accessible to persons of various physical capabilities.
This workshop encourages 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, and those of other women. Self-confidence is a requirement for success in fire/emergency service. Most female responders have overcome many of the sexist comments, behaviors and policies that challenged them reaching their current positions, but their own,
internalized sexism may still be holding them back.
First responders and military members who have been diagnosed with PTSD often also suffer from some degree of moral injury. Moral injury is less well known and less studied than PTSD, but also incurs significant distress to individuals and may be a factor in suicidal ideation and behaviours. The curriculum of Project Trauma Support is unique in addressing moral injury along with PTSD. Project Trauma Support offers a comprehensive program using evidence- based therapies for PTSD. The curriculum is tailored to the individual as well as to the group dynamic. In addition to the psychological components, the curriculum also includes physical exercise, meditation, and healthy nutrition. Experiential and educational sessions help the participants to develop a greater understanding of PTSD and moral injury. Workshops are included that assist individuals to clarify their values and priorities and set occupational, relational and life goals. Tools that aid in recovery, well-being and return to full participation in multiple life roles are introduced and practiced.
Join us to review the results of our 2020 study on the prevalence and impact of Imposter Syndrome in female fire responders in Canada. Completed in partnership with York University and FSWO. We will address an overview of Imposter Syndrome, study methodlody, results and next steps.
Why are so many firefighters - who will enter a burning building - afraid to even talk about homophobia? Homophobia, unchallenged, can be used to discredit all women in the fire service,and discourage male responders from showing compassion or dealing with their emotions. Transphobia challenges fire service leaders, from bathroom facilities to the kitchen table, from preferred pronouns to policies. How can we confront these prejudices, or even begin the conversation about sexual orientation and gender identity in our company, our department? This interactive session offers attendees, of any rank or role, information and concepts to break open the taboo on these issues, to decipher the “alphabet soup” – LGBTQQI, and to break down some of the common myths and stereotypes about LGBT people. Language, tools and skills to challenge this form of bigotry will be offered.
Ali will begin this presentation by sharing the challenging experiences she had early on in her volunteer fire service career and have a further discussion about fire service culture. Ali will
normalize the stress reactions we all have to doing our job and will talk about everyday stressors, infrequent stressors and extreme stressors. Ali will help participants create a personalized list of resources and coping skills they can implement in order to have a long and healthy career.
In this two-part program, Aaron will break down engine company operations into an algorithmic model. It will provide a basis from effective fireground operations. It is a simple, robust, expanding system, that is adaptable to regional/local demographics. In addition, this program will provide a backdrop from which to isolate skills and skill sets for preparation and training.