Commanding with Confidence: Women Leading in the Station and on the Fire Ground

This interactive classroom session explores what it means to be a leader in fire suppression—both on the fire ground and in the station—from a woman’s perspective. Participants will examine the fundamentals of effective leadership, including incident command, 360-degree size-ups, and clear, confident communication.

The session will also address the challenges of transitioning from firefighter to officer, offering insight into navigating leadership dynamics in traditionally male-dominated environments. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and engage in open dialogue about building confidence and credibility as a fire service leader.

Deputy Chief Michele Fitzsimmons is the highest-ranking female in FDNYs Fire Operations. She is the first female firefighter to reach the rank of Deputy Chief in the history of the FDNY. She joined the FDNY May of 2021. During her career she has been an instructor at the Fire Academy, a member of the Family Assistance Unit, a Peer Fitness Firefighter Trainer, a part of the FDNY’s Mental Performance Initiative and a Cohost of the JoinFDNY Podcast.

Chief Fitzsimmons is a graduate of the FDNY Officers Management Institute, an FDNY program collaboration with Columbia University. She has lectured at Wharton Business School and University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate Program. She was a guest on Leadership Under Fire’s Optimizing Human Performance Podcast and the FDNY Pro Podcast. She has instructed classes at Fire Service Women of Ontario, Women in Fire and Fire Service Women of NYS’s annual conferences.

Tracey’s journey in the fire service began in 1999 when she made history as one of the first three women hired as firefighters in the Ottawa Fire Service. Over the past 26 years, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, achieving the historic milestone of being the first woman in Ottawa to be promoted to Captain in the suppression division. She is currently the Captain at a busy station in the downtown core in the city of Ottawa. Throughout her career, Tracey has embraced various roles that showcase her dedication to the fire service and her community. Tracey is a proud mother of four boys, all born during her time as a firefighter. During her pregnancies, she successfully transitioned to modified duties, acquiring valuable experiences in different divisions such as Administration, Training, and Air Management. These experiences not only enriched her professional growth but also reinforced to her the importance of all divisions in the fire service. Tracey is a passionate advocate for recruiting, retaining, and advancing women in the fire service. Her commitment is further demonstrated through her volunteer work as a Camp FFIT Instructor and many other events where she has inspired the next generation of women in the fire service. She firmly believes in the importance of women supporting women and continues to work tirelessly to foster a more inclusive and diverse fire service.

Carissa has been serving with Ottawa Fire Services since 2006, bringing nearly two decades of experience, leadership, and a deep commitment to both operational excellence and firefighter wellness. Promoted to Captain in July 2025, she previously served as a Training Officer for 18 months before returning to suppression for her promotion to Lieutenant earlier that same year. Her leadership journey has been shaped by resilience and purpose. After experiencing asignificant fire early in her career—an event that led to major changes in training, communications, safety, and equipment—Carissa was diagnosed with PTSD. Her path to recovery inspired her to become a champion for mental health, a peer support worker, and a passionate educator in Fire Dynamics.

Carissa is also trained as a Hazmat Technician and is known for her strong work ethic, unwavering dedication to fitness, and her natural ability to bring people together. Whether on the fireground or in the firehouse, she leads with authenticity, compassion, and the belief that strong teams are built on trust, shared purpose, and continuous learning. Beyond her operational role, Carissa was instrumental in founding Fire Service WomenOntario and helped develop Camp FFIT, initiatives that empower and support women in thefire service.

She brings warmth, insight, and a team-focused mindset to every leadership conversation—especially when it comes to building a positive, inclusive, and resilient station culture.