I’m the Boss…Where Do I Go From Here?

Promotion changes everything. One day you’re part of the crew — the next, you’re leading it. Then before long, people start asking when you’re going for the next rank.

This session is for current company officers who want to keep growing, build confidence in their leadership, and start preparing for what comes next in their fire service career. Whether you’re a newer officer or have been in the role for a while, leadership keeps changing as responsibilities grow and expectations shift.

We’ll have real conversations about what leadership actually looks like — earning trust, leading former peers, handling conflict, making tough decisions, balancing the job and the people side of leadership, and figuring out your own leadership style. We’ll also talk about the shift from running calls and crews to having a bigger impact on culture, mentorship, and the future of the organization.

Through honest discussion, shared experiences, and practical takeaways, participants will leave with tools to grow as leaders now while getting ready for the next step when the opportunity comes.

Because leadership is more than a promotion — it’s an ongoing evolution.

Michele Fitzsimmons

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 Shields

Tracey Shields is a Captain and Acting District Chief with Ottawa Fire Services and President of Fire Service Women Ontario (FSWO). She began her career in 1999 as one of the first three women hired as firefighters with Ottawa Fire Services and has since become the first woman promoted to Lieutenant, Captain, and qualified Acting District Chief in suppression.

Tracey has been actively involved with FSWO since its inception in 2009, serving in several executive roles including Registrar, Symposium Chair, Vice-President, and now President. During that time, she has helped the organization grow from 25 members to more than 900.

Passionate about leadership development and advancing women in the fire service, Tracey is committed to creating opportunities through mentorship, education, and collaboration. She has volunteered many times over the years with Camp FFIT, helping inspire and prepare the next generation of firefighters.