The Personal and Organizational Value of Psychology for Women in Fire Services

  • October 22, 2026
  • 1:00pm-5:00pm
  • FESTI - 2025 Courtneypark Dr East, Mississauga, ON L5T 1J3

Facilitated by Dr. Casey Iwai, Dr. Lorraine Patterson & Dr. Chris Rodrigues

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This presentation, “The Personal and Organizational Value of Psychology for Women in Fire Services,” will examine how evidence-based psychological services - including staff psychologists, peer support, community-based clinicians, and integrated mental health programs - can enhance individual resilience and organizational performance. Focusing on women firefighters, it will address the unique challenges at the intersection of operational stress, gendered expectations, and fire service culture. Drawing on current best practices, the session will explore personal benefits such as reduced symptoms, improved on- and off-duty functioning, family health, and long-term resilience, alongside organizational advantages such as increased readiness, retention, and a healthier workplace environment. Practical guidance will be provided on selecting and collaborating with mental health providers, developing psychological programs, reducing stigma, and implementing policy and leadership strategies to enhance psychology initiatives. The session will conclude with a Q&A featuring questions from women in the fire service, ensuring relevance to their lived experience.

Dr. Casey Iwai

Dr. Casey Iwai, C. Psych. is the staff psychologist for the Ottawa Fire Services. Prior to joining OFS in 2024, he served as a psychologist at the Operational Stress Injury Clinic at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. Dr. Iwai completed a residency within the U.S. Veterans Affairs hospital system and has made a career around serving first responder and military populations.

Dr. Lorraine Patterson

Dr. Lorraine Patterson is a Staff Psychologist with Toronto Fire Services (TFS). With more than 20 years of experience working with trauma-exposed civilians and first responders, she has held clinical and leadership roles with the Canadian Armed Forces, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, and the Region of Durham Paramedic Services’ Peer Support Team. In March 2026, she became the second full-time psychologist at TFS, reflecting this organization’s continued commitment to advancing proactive, evidence-based mental health support for fire service personnel. Dr. Patterson holds a Ph.D. from the University of Saskatchewan, and she has been a licensed clinical psychologist in Ontario since 2007.

Dr. Chris Rodrigues

Chris Rodrigues is a psychologist authorized to practice autonomously with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. He has been in practice since 2003. Chris obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Psychology from York University in Toronto and a Master of Counselling Psychology from the University of Lethbridge in Alberta.

Chris has extensive clinical experience working with first responders and their family members, including fifteen years with the City of Toronto’s Employee Assistance Program and, for the past seven years, serving as a staff psychologist for Toronto Fire Services (TFS). He has also been a lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus and an instructor at a psychotherapy training program in Toronto.

Throughout his career, Chris has worked with a diverse range of clients to assist them in addressing a wide variety of problems. He has a particular interest and expertise in helping clients address concerns related to workplace issues, mental health problems, relationship difficulties, coping with stressful life events, and operational stress injuries.

In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Chris provides education and oversight to the Toronto Fire Service Peer Support Team, a 40+ member team of trained volunteers who support other members of a large fire service (3500+ employees). He also develops and delivers training programs and other initiatives for TFS management and front-line staff, focused on enhancing the psychological health and wellness of the department and its employees.