2010 ConferenceInternational Conference for Fire & Rescue Executives 2010
Chiefs Under Fire... Are You Ready?
May 30 to June 1, 2010
Calgary, AB, Canada
The inaugural ‘International Conference for Fire and Rescue Executives’ took place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on May 30th to June 1st, 2010. The theme of the conference was “Chiefs Under Fire…Are You Ready?” which highlighted the importance of executive career development.
Speakers left delegates with suggestions for handling the media when in a difficult spot; strategies for dealing with unions and non-confidence votes against your leadership; strategies for effective negotiations; and concrete ideas for becoming more politically astute. In addition to highly respected fire chiefs, emergency services executives and private sector executives offered their perspectives on the vital task of bullet-proofing your career.
The conference was hosted by Chief Bruce Burrell and the Calgary Fire Department in conjunction with The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, Alberta Fire Chiefs Association and Canadian Professional Management Services.
Participants Included
Coming Soon.
Some Comments from our Delegates
- “Very knowledgeable and personable…” Victoria Fire Department
- “Outstanding” Calgary Fire Department
- “Very applicable and practical information presented in a variety of styles.” Foothills Regional EMS
- “Well instructed, very organized.” Grande Prairie Fire Department
2010 Guest Speakers
Note: Speakers are in alphabetical order
 W. Bruce Burrell President, Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs Fire Chief, Calgary Fire Department |
| Since joining the Calgary Fire Department in August 2005, Chief Burrell has remained committed to the Department’s vision that it will become “the international fire service leader.” To that end, he has expanded the fire service to meet the needs of a rapidly growing city through the addition of new stations, staff and fire emergency vehicles. Chief Burrell has worked to broaden the Fire Department’s public contacts through fire-prevention and injury-prevention initiatives. His goal is for the Department to reach one in 10 Calgarians annually through non-emergency initiatives. Chief Burrell has also implemented a career-development staff training program for firefighters. Chief Burrell oversees a management team of seven deputy chiefs and a staff of approximately 1,200 Fire Department employees. Prior to joining the Calgary Fire Department, Chief Burrell was a Deputy Chief with the Halifax Fire Department. |
 Jim CessfordChief Constable Delta Police Department |
| Chief Constable Cessford was appointed to his position with the Delta Police Department in 1995. Prior to this he was Superintendent In Charge of Edmonton’s Downtown Division. Chief Cessford’s career with the Edmonton Police Service spanned 27 years where he worked as a homicide and major crimes investigator for 14 years. Chief Cessford has been recognized and designated by the courts as an expert hostage negotiator after handling numerous high-risk situations as a primary negotiator. Upon his arrival in Delta, Chief Cessford moved community based policing to new levels and has also been instrumental through the strategic planning process in bringing about sound leadership training education for his members and volunteers. |
 Frank P. CruthersFirst Deputy Commissioner New York City Fire Department |
| First Deputy Commissioner Cruthers was appointed to his position with the New York City Fire Department in June 2004. He is responsible for overseeing the Fire Department’s anti-terrorism efforts and leads the Safety and Inspection Command. First Deputy Commissioner Cruthers rose through the ranks of the New York City Fire Department exhibiting remarkable leadership during the Department’s most trying times after September 11th and through its successful rebuilding efforts. After graduating from the Fire Academy in 1968, First Deputy Commissioner Cruthers was assigned to Brooklyn, where he worked in Ladder Companies 110 and 120 for nine years before being promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to Ladder Company 105. He was promoted to Captain in 1983 and assigned to Ladder Company 143 in Queens. First Deputy Commissioner Cruthers continued to rise through the ranks, serving as Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief, Deputy Assistant Chief and Assistant Chief. He has served as the commanding officer for the Fire Department’s elite Special Operations Command, the Marine Division, and as a Citywide Tour Commander. |
 Gregory M. DeanFire Chief Seattle Fire Department |
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Chief Dean was appointed Chief of the Seattle Fire Department in April 2004. Chief Dean was hired by the Seattle Fire Department in 1970. He was promoted to leadership positions throughout his career, serving as Fire Marshal, Assistant Chief of Administration, Deputy Chief of Support Services and Chief of Personnel. He previously served as Acting Chief of the Department. |
 Gary DobsonDirector of Operational Policy and Training London Fire Brigade |
| Director Dobson has served for 28 years in operations and training. He joined the London Fire Brigade in 1981, and served at a number of inner London fire stations as a Firefighter and supervisory officer. In 1994, he joined the Training and Development Department and was responsible for developing a competency based approach to the training and development of London Fire Brigade operational personnel. In 1998, Director Dobson returned to operations as a senior officer until he became the Staff Officer to the Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade in 2001. In 2003, Director Dobson was promoted to temporary Assistant Chief Officer and seconded to ODPM to assist 16 Fire and Rescue Authorities to develop integrated risk management plans. On his return from secondment Gary became the Borough Commander for LB Wandsworth with responsibility for service delivery and fire safety. In 2005, Director Dobson was promoted to Deputy Assistant Commissioner and was responsible for the Incident Management department in the directorate of Operational Response. In 2006, Director Dobson was promoted to Temporary Assistant Commissioner and became the Head of Training and Development for LFEPA. In 2008, Director Dobson was promoted to become the Director of Operational Policy and Training. Director Dobson was awarded the Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct medal in 2001 and graduated from Portsmouth University in 2002 with a Masters in Business and Administration. |
 Mohamed DomaSenior Partner Canadian Professional Management Services |
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Mr. Doma has worked extensively with policing organizations that have required his expertise, diplomacy, knowledge and expert counsel in such areas as strategic planning, contract negotiations, labour relations and executive coaching. |
 Joanne Hayes-WhiteFire Chief San Francisco Fire Department |
| Joanne Hayes-White was appointed Chief of the San Francisco Fire Department on January 16, 2004. She has been with the department for 19 years and was Deputy Assistant Chief and Director of Training for four years. Chief Hayes-White was hired as a firefighter in April 1990, promoted to Lieutenant in 1993 and made Captain in January 1996. In May 1996, she was made Acting Battalion Chief with oversight of the department’s dispatch and communications systems where she oversaw the installation of a computer-aided dispatch system and automated information systems. Promoted to Assistant Deputy Chief in 1998, she was responsible for the Division of Support Services, the Bureau of Communications, the Bureau of Equipment, the Bureau of Engineering and Water Supply, Management Information Systems, and Renovations. As Assistant Deputy Chief and Director of Training since March 2000, she has overseen recruit training, in-service training and continuing education, and firefighter-paramedic cross training. |
 Chief Al H. GillespieNorth Las Vegas Fire Department 2nd Vice President, International Association of Fire Chiefs |
| Chief Gillespie is a proven leader, seen as both innovative and dynamic. He has worked for a combined city/county government, county government, and is currently working again, for a city government. He has served in full career fire departments and in combination career and volunteer fire departments. He currently serves as the Fire Chief of the City of North Las Vegas, Nevada, a very culturally and ethnically diverse community and organization, and has worked as a leader in other diverse communities. Chief Gillespie has served as the Treasurer and Vice-Chair for the Safety, Health, and Survival Section of the IAFC and is currently serving on the Membership committee. He has a strong labour/management background and has been a leader in developing team-working relationships between labour groups including the IAFF and AFSCME and management. Chief Gillespie’s education and qualifications include a Fellowship at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and completion of the Executive Fire Officer Program from the National Fire Academy. |
 Denis McCarthy Fire Chief Norwalk Fire Department |
| Chief McCarthy was appointed Chief of the Norwalk Fire Department on May 2, 2005. Chief McCarthy has 27 years of experience in fire command, progressive fire department administration, and personnel relations. His accomplishments include, but are not limited to, Chairman of State of Connecticut HazMat Coordinating Council, Founder and Chair of Southwestern Connecticut Coastal Fire Chief’s Association, State of Connecticut Department of Homeland Security/Office of Emergency Management Coordinating Council Member, and Chairman, Fairfield County HazMat Team. Chief McCarthy has designed and implemented a firefighter fitness program reducing average sick and injury leave by 4 days per firefighter. He has also created a comprehensive I-95 standpipe plan adopted and implemented by Connecticut Department of Transportation. Chief McCarthy developed and managed a large scale HazMat disaster exercise for local, regional, state, and federal responders and he developed and managed the Metro North Disaster Exercise. |
 John McKearneyFire Chief Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services |
| Chief McKearney was appointed Chief of the Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services in July, 2009. Chief McKearney joined the Department in 1980 and served as Deputy Chief for the five years prior to his appointment. Chief McKearney has 29 years of experience with the Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services and has served as Acting Chief since May 2009. Throughout his career he has built a strong record of achievement and leadership. In addition to his career as a firefighter and trainer, Chief McKearney has been very involved with the community and other professional activities. He is currently involved with a number of professional activities including the Fire Advisory Board for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Fire Chiefs’ Association of British Columbia, and the Office of the Fire Commissioner’s Diversity Committee. |
 William MosherChief Director Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency Service |
| Chief Mosher has worked in the fire service for more than 31 years. In the former Halifax Fire Department, he served as a firefighter for 10 years, was then promoted to a Lieutenant, and then Captain. In his final position at the Halifax Fire Department, he served as Deputy Chief, responsible for human resources and administrative services. At amalgamation Chief Mosher held the position of Deputy Commissioner of Support Services for Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency Service. He holds a Certificate in Fire Service Administration and a Certificate in Local Government Administration. In 2000, Chief Mosher was given the task to establish the Rural Operations Division as Deputy Chief Director. Chief Mosher sat on the Board of Directors for the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia from 2000 to 2009. |
 William A. StewartFire Chief Toronto Fire Services |
| Chief Stewart was appointed Chief of the Toronto Fire Services on May 1, 2003. Chief Stewart is a thirty-seven year Fire Service veteran having served in the former City of North York Fire Department for 26 years prior to the amalgamation of the new City of Toronto on January 1, 1998. He has served as an operations fire fighter, Captain, Administration Chief, Assistant Deputy and Deputy Chief. Chief Stewart has served as a member of the Professional Standards Setting Body, Ontario Fire College, in the review of all standards for fire fighter training in Ontario. He also serves as the International President of the Institution of Fire Engineers and Immediate Past President of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs/National Fire Protection Association. Chief Stewart is a graduate of the Ontario Fire College, Technology Diploma Programs, general and advanced levels, Executive Development Program and the Canadian Emergency Preparedness College. |
| Don Trider Managing Director Canadian Professional Management Services |
| Dr. Trider joined Canadian Professional Management Services in 1999 upon his retirement from the Halifax Regional School Board as Superintendent. His education career spans over 32 years and includes many high profile roles and responsibilities including President of the Canadian Association of School Administrators. Since joining CPMS, Dr. Trider has been instrumental in the creation and development of the annual International Conference for Police and Law Enforcement Executives. These executive education conferences have become recognized for the relevance of the program and the quality of the speakers. Dr. Trider’s work in policing also includes the development and presentation of leadership programs for various police departments, an orientation program for the police boards, and assistance to First Nations Police agencies in the areas of board governance and strategic planning. |
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