Lead the Crew - Women in Stepping into the Company Officer Role

Stepping into the company officer role requires more than technical skill — it demands confidence, communication, decision-making, and the ability to lead people through high-pressure situations. This session is designed for women preparing to move from firefighter to officer and will explore the realities of leadership in today’s fire service.

Moving from “one of the crew” to the person leading it can be both exciting and challenging. Through honest conversation, practical lessons, and shared experiences, this session will explore building credibility, leading former peers, handling difficult conversations, and finding your own leadership style while balancing the operational and people side of the job.

We’ll also talk about how being a woman can shape the leadership experience in the fire service — including the challenges, expectations, and strengths women often bring to leadership roles. Participants will leave with practical tools, greater confidence, and a better understanding of how to lead with authenticity both on and off the fireground.

Whether promotion is around the corner or part of a future goal, this session is designed to help women feel more prepared, confident, and ready to lead.

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.