Industry news News
OAFC Conference and Trade Show 2011

May 2, 2011
By Carey Fredericks

May 2, 2011

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The 59th annual Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs conference and trade show wrapped up Wednesday evening in Toronto. The OAFC festivities began with the annual Fire Fighting in Canada golf tournament on Friday, April 29, carrying on a tradition of fun and camaraderie. Scroll down to see photos of Wednesday evening's closing banquet, the educational seminars, the trade show and the golf tournament. Click on the images to see the photos at full size. Photos by Laura King and Stefanie Wallace.

Safedesign Apparel Ltd.'s Don King (left)
and OAFC President Tim Beckett (right) present retired Fire Chief Bruce
Little of Southhampton, Ont., with the 2011 Bill Williams Humanitarian
Award at the OAFC's closing banquet Wednesday. The award recognizes
contribution to the community, professionalism and leadership by
example. Little is president of the Fire Services Society, which raises
funds for burn treatment, fire safety programs and fire- and
burn-related educational programs. The society was intrumental in the
institution of firefighter licence plates in Ontario.

Fire Chief Phil Eagleson (left) of the
Saugeen Shores Fire Department in Ontario receives the 2011 VFIS Award
for volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention at the closing
banquet of the OAFC's Annual Meeting and Education Seminar (AMES)
Wednesday evening. Saugeen Shores improved its volunteer retention rate
to 100 per cent in 2010 after struggling to recruit and keep
firefighters. A junior firefighter program and other initiatives
implemented by Chief Eagleson and his crew have improved morale and
boosted interest in the department.


Fire Fighting in Canada (FFIC) and Canadian Firefighter and EMS Quarterly (CFF) editor Laura King with CFF Spontaneous Combustion columnist Tim Beebe at the OAFC's closing banquet on May 4.	OAFC President Tim Beckett introduces the 2011 exeucitve and board of directors.


OAFC President Tim Beckett (right) and Matt Pegg, chair of the OAFC's Section 21 advisory committee, present the President's Award to Karen Hanna, Section 21 facilitator for the Ministry of Labour, for her work with the association on Section 21 issues.	Ajax Fire Chief Mark Diotte (right) receives an award of recognition for his contribution to the OAFC board from presidenet Tim Beckett.


King Fire Chief Bryan Burbidge is recognized for his contribution to the OAFC board by president Tim Beckett.	OAFC President Tim Beckett presents the President's Award to Sean Pearce, Ontario regional manager of the the Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association, which has partnered with the province's fire chiefs to advocate for mandatory sprinklers.


OAFC past president Richard Boyes announces recipients of the OAFC's awards (see photos above of award winnners).	CAFC President and Hamilton, Ont., Fire Chief Rob Simonds addresses OAFC members.


FFIC editor Laura King (left) and CAFC president Rob Simonds with Vince MacKenzie, president of the Newfounland and Labrador Association of Fire Services, and FFIC sales manager Catherine Connolly.	Ontario Fire Marshal Ted Wieclawek addresses OAFC members and guests at the closing banquet of the association's 2011 conference on May 4 in Toronto.


FFIC advertising manager Catherine Connolly and Fire Chief Vince MacKenzie of Grand Falls-Windsor, N.L., at the closing banquet of the OAFC's annual meeting and conference.


CAFC President Rob Simonds, Bonnie Boyes and Oakville Fire Chief Richard Boyes.	King Fire and Emergency Services Chief Bryan Burbidge and Andrea Burbidge.


Brampton Fire Chief Andy MacDonald outlines the department's line-of-duty-death protocol as an example for other departments to adopt. MacDonald spoke during Wednesday's sessions at the OAFC's annual conference.	A.J. Stone President Bill Stone speaks to OAFC members after the announcement of the Alf Stone Humanitarian Award.


OAFC director Neville Murphy, deputy chief in Kingston, Ont., introduces the dynamic duo of Barb and Bill Johnston, co-founders of The Centre for Applied Human Dynamics.	Barb and Bill Johnston, co-founders of The Centre for Applied Human Dynamics, offered a workshop on improving communication skills, reducing stress, boosting morale and fostering more effective team interaction.


Deputy Chief Jim Jessop of the Niagara Falls Fire Department (standing) joined Frank Lamie, deputy fire chief of fire prevention and public education for Toronto Fire Services (seated), on Tuesday to outline the advisory note produced by the OAFC to assist chief fire officers in approving fire-safety plans for care occupancies.	After setting the first order of business — the correct pronunciation of his last name — Ontario Fire Marshal Ted Wieclawek, who was appointed to the position in January 2011, discussed what the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal is doing to improve protection for firefighters and residents in Ontario.

The Sunday evening memorial service honoured with memorial helmets 25 former members of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs who have passed away since last year’s conference.

The Ontario Fire Service Pipes and Drums band provided music through the ceremony.

Chief Tim Beckett, president of the OAFC, leads the procession into the memorial service, followed by Ian Davidson, deputy minister of community safety; Ted Wieclawek, the fire marshal of Ontario; Chief William Stewart of Toronto Fire Services and Rob Simonds, president of the CAFC and chief for the City of Hamilton Fire Department.

The fire chiefs of Simcoe County pose for a group photo, looking strapping in uniform.


The Kitchener Fire Honour Guard joined the Ontario Fire Service Pipes and Drums band in the opening ceremonies.	City of Hamilton Fire Chief Rob Simonds addresses the crowd as president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs on Monday.


Charles Sousa, Ontario minister of labour (centre), addresses the delegates, joined by OAFC President Tim Beckett and Kathleen Wynne, Ontario minister of transportation.	Kathleen Wynne, Ontario minister of transportation, adds her remarks.

James Bradley, Ontario minister of community safety and correctional services, addresses the delegates on Monday morning.

Brian Nash, of Fort Garry Fire Trucks, addresses the crowd at the FEMSA/FAMA Canadian Governmental Committee as the outgoing chair, while OAFC President Tim Beckett looks on. The committee comprises fire service personnel and manufacturers who are working with associations across the country to advocate funding for the Canadian fire service.

Chief Richard Boyes of the Oakville Fire Department addresses the attendees of the FEMSA/FAMA Canadian Governmental Committee as the incoming chair.

Fire Fighting in Canada editor Laura King moderated the first FFIC roundtable discussion on Monday May 2. From left to right, Chief Rob Simonds (Hamilton, Ont., formerly Saint John, N.B.), Chief Richard Boyes (Oakville, Ont.), Chief Vince MacKenzie (Grand Falls-Windsor, N.L.), Chief Stephen Gamble (Langley, B.C.) and Chief Brad Bigrigg (Caledon, Ont.), discussed fire-service topics and issues of a mostly national scope. Watch for video previews of the roundtable discussion on Firefightingincanada.com in the coming weeks!

There was lots on display at the OAFC trade show on Sunday, May 1 and Monday, May 2 . . .

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Taking a break from a first day at the show!	A trade show visitor tests out the Drive Wise simulated driving program apparatus driver training.


M&L Supply's Camp Bucko drive.	Trade show visitors check out a Dependable fire truck.


FFIC junior editor Stefanie Wallace poses wearing a 9-11 leather memorial helmet with M&L Supply's Mark Prendergast.	Some of Dependable's products on display.


FFIC editor Laura King and M&L Supply's Mark Prendergast pose with the 9-11 memorial helmet.	Team Dependable poses on the golf course at the Fire Fighting in Canada provincial open.


Fire Chief Vince Mackenzie, of the Grand Falls-Windsor Fire Department in Newfoundland, isn't having too much luck on the greens!	The weather didn't stop the Scott Safety guys from having a great time!