It is easy to generalize that a strong firefighter is a good firefighter. Society's beliefs (both inside and outside of the fire service) tend to lean towards physical size and strength as the main attributes of a capable firefighter. But what happens when illness, injury or other circumstances occur, and your physical abilities become limited? How do you ensure you are still able to be a good firefighter? Developing yourself personally is key to ensuring you continue to develop professionally throughout your career. I will share my story of how a rare central nervous system cancer diagnosis did not disrupt my career as an operational firefighter in the Calgary Fire Department. I will share how early professional development, mental resilience, emotional intelligence and leadership skills can help everyone ensure a long career in the fire service both inside and outside of suppression.
