Features Blogs Editor's Blog
Comment: May 2019

They did it again in March at the 2019 Security, Police, Fire Career Expo & Job Fair held at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont.

It was the first time that Fire Fighting in Canada collaborated with fellow Annex Business Media publications Blue Line and Canadian Security magazines on a career expo and job fair.

By all accounts, the day-long event was a huge success, drawing more than 220 job-seekers, mentors, exhibitors and sponsors. We have full coverage of the event on Page 22.

There was a buzz in the room as attendees engaged in a full day of networking and information gathering. I talked to a number of young people at the event and all were glad that they attended.

Throughout the day, they were able to spend time with leaders and front-line personnel in the services who shared their expertise, answered questions and offered some career tips.

Prospects were able to network and have one-on-one discussions with those who do the actual hiring as well as rank-and-file personnel.

It was a valuable opportunity for them to chat first-hand with experienced fire, police and security professionals, interact and gain insight into what life is like in the emergency services.

The fire service was well-represented at the expo.

We had Richard Boyes, executive director of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, as well as Helaina Mulville, administrative support co-ordinator at Ontario Administration Inc.

Others attending incuded Hamilton Fire Chief David Cunliffe, Milton Fire Chief Dave Pratt, Cambridge Deputy Chief Damond Jamieson, St. Thomas firefighter Kory Pearn and Chad Roberts of the Oakville Fire Department. Toronto firefighter Vannetta Tustian, director of professional development and student recruitment for Fire Service Women of Ontario, was also there and brought volunteer Taylor Wardaugh.

They all volunteered to be part of the expo, lending a helping hand to those seeking a career in the field.

My hat goes off to the mentors who participated and helped make the event such a success. They are all busy people, but graciously gave of their time.

Hamilton Fire Chief Cunliffe, for example, was in the midst of negotiations. Toronto firefighter Tustian, meanwhile, had just finished a night shift but made it to the expo.

Such commitment says a lot about the character of the women and men who work in the fire service.

Kudos to them all.