Small Departments, Big Leadership: Running Effective Fire Scenes with Limited Resources

  • October 24, 2026
  • 1:00pm-2:50pm
  • FESTI -- 2025 Courtneypark Drive East Mississauga ON L5T 1J3

Facilitated by Sarah Peto

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Leading a fire scene in a smaller department comes with unique challenges. Limited staffing, fewer specialized resources, and reliance on mutual aid require officers to think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt quickly as incidents evolve.

This session is designed for new and aspiring company officers, as well as officers serving in rural, combination, paid-on-call, and smaller career departments. Through real-world examples and practical discussion, participants will learn how to establish command, conduct effective size-ups, prioritize resources, and make confident tactical decisions while maintaining firefighter safety.

Whether you're transitioning into an officer role or looking to strengthen your leadership skills, this session provides practical tools and proven strategies to help you lead successful fireground operations—regardless of the size of your department.

Sarah Peto

Sarah Peto is a Lieutenant II with Brandon Fire & Emergency Services, bringing more than 24 years of frontline experience as a firefighter and paramedic. As the second woman hired—and the first female officer—in her department, she has built a career focused on leadership, mentorship, and creating opportunities for others in the fire service.

Sarah is the founding President of Fire Service Women Central Provinces (FSWCP), a non-profit organization supporting women in the fire service across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba through advocacy, education, networking, and mentorship. She is also a passionate advocate for first responder mental health, serving with Project Resilience 911 and contributing to the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs' Mental Health and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committees.

Recognized nationally for her leadership and commitment to advancing women in the fire service, Sarah is a sought-after speaker whose practical experience, authenticity, and collaborative approach continue to inspire firefighters and leaders across Canada.