The Resilient MindsTM 8-hour course contains four modules that were developed by fire fighters for fire fighters to increase the ability to:
• Recognize the effects of psychological stress/trauma in self and peers • Understand trauma-informed practices • Communicate with peers who may be struggling • Using evidence based trauma informed approach to respond, safely, and appropriately to distressed citizens • Apply personal strategies for managing stress, mitigating trauma, and boosting resilience
What fire fighters are saying about our program:
“The facilitators created a safe, comfortable and interesting learning environment. We were impressed with the interactive capabilities of the Zoom classroom and the way it was incorporated into the course. They taught us coping skills such as the 4R Action Toolkit that we will be able to take into our careers and use to remain healthy for ourselves and our families. As members of the fire service, we would recommend this course to anyone involved in emergency response.”
– Fire Fighter recruits in Class 2021-01 (A Platoon), Whitby Fire & Emergency Services, Ontario
Minimum 12 students
Kristy-Lynn Pankhurst
Kristy-Lynn Pankhurst is the Fire Prevention Officer for Scugog Fire & Emergency Services. In this role, she coordinates the Department’s Fire Prevention & Public Education efforts and responds to emergencies alongside Scugog’s dedicated team. Kristy-Lynn is currently completing the Queens University Master of Education specializing in World Indigenous Studies in Education. Throughout her studies, she hopes to determine effective strategies for the development and delivery of fire & life safety education to reduce the risk of fire in Indigenous communities. Kristy-Lynn previously obtained her B.A. (Hons.) in Communication and Digital Media Studies at Ontario Tech University while studying the use of social media as a cost-effective public education tool. She has also completed NFPA certifications as a Fire & Life Safety Educator, Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator, Public Information Officer, Firefighter, Fire Officer, and Fire Services Instructor. Kristy-Lynn grew up in the Fire Service. After completing co-op placements in Kawartha Lakes and Ottawa, she attended Camp FFIT, Ottawa (2015), where she learned about Fire Service Women Ontario and felt inspired to pursue her dreams. She became a Volunteer Firefighter with Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service in 2015 and began her full-time career in the Fire Service in 2017. In 2019, while working as an Inspector with Ajax Fire, Kristy-Lynn was recognized as an NFPA “Rising Star” for her efforts in risk reduction through Fire & Life Safety Education. In 2021, Kristy-Lynn began a contract with Canada’s National Indigenous Fire Safety Council, where she continues to work towards reducing the risk of fire in Indigenous communities. In 2023, Kristy-Lynn is on maternity leave from Scugog Fire, after welcoming a baby girl into the world. Outside of the Fire Service, she enjoys spending time with family & friends and working on her backyard lavender farm.
Darcie Sibbald
Darcie is a mother of two girls, an avid mountain biker and a career firefighter of 18 years with an additional five years as a Paid on Call firefighter. Darcie has sat on many committees during her career, from Health and Safety, First Responder Instructor Trainer and currently the Health and Wellness Coordinator for the Peer and CISM team. She was the Secretary/Treasurer for her local since 2012 and this year was elected as the President.
Darcie participates in the BCPFFA Data/IT and the Elections Committee. Her passion lies in advocacy for all, supporting others in mental health, safety, governance, worker OH&S representation, peer mentorship, collaborating, bargaining negotiations and many grievance resolutions. Darcie has, in her career as a firefighter, primarily been the only career woman in Whistler and was looking to share experiences and find the support of other women in this incredible career. In doing so, she is the Secretary on the founding board of Fire Service Women BC. She is proud to work amidst incredibly strong, capable, competent and passionate women and men who want to support an equitable fire service for all.
