October 2019

BY PETER SIMPSON

BY BEN WILSON

From the editor

By Laura Aiken

Merging realities

Is your reality and my reality the same? Chances are we agree when the sky is blue and the leaves are green, but this doesn’t really encapsulate life. Reality is also a set of expectations and powerful beliefs in the mind, beliefs that help construct the narrative of your sensory perception. Imagine if that cohesive story were to fall apart. What if you lost pieces of your narrative reality or could not interpret the data coming from another as that person would expect? Some people’s mind-bodies are tragic displays of entropy run wild, order to disorder on a continuum without a cure. Autism, forms of dementia and hoarding are some of the mind-body afflictions that suggest the person’s way of perceiving the world may be unique to you or I in a manner that vitally impacts communication. As first responders, effective communication with the people they are trying to save can become what is vital.

It seems logical that firefighters at work will encounter some of society’s most vulnerable at a more frequent rate than the general public. For example, people with dementia are more likely to be forgetful and start fires than the average person without a significant memory disorder. The homes of people who hoard are full of health and safety threats. From articles

submitted and proposed to me, it appears the conversation around how to best approach people who are autistic, have dementia or hoard is growing. Although in a different realm of maladies, PTSD, psychosis, schizophrenia and those on the brink of suicide fall under a similar conversational umbrella. These are all things that alter the way the mind pieces together its narrative reality and they all can increase the danger to oneself and in some cases to others. As mental health has come to the forefront of the fire service, up there with cancer and heart disease as a top concern, it is ever more relevant for firefighters to be equipped with the communication skills to help those with ailments that affect the mind.

Encountering someone who may be perceiving things differently than you at a radically altered level requires a skilled response.

Compassion and calm can do no wrong, but they might not be all firefighters need in their response kit. In our article on page 14, Ben Wilson, captain of fire prevention at the Surrey Fire Service in British Columbia and the father of a child with autism, highlights solid strategies for responding to a person with

autism in an emergency situation. Please read it and learn more about why autism awareness is so important. In a much broader sense, firefighters need people awareness as a part of situational awareness. Encountering someone who may be perceiving things differently than you at a radically altered level requires a skilled response.

A firefighter can never be sure exactly what they are walking into on a call. It seems wise to expect the unexpected. In much the way that the HERO sticker can indicate where the children are in a house, it seems ideal that there be some way to access more information about the disabilities of a scene’s inhabitants. Perhaps a national database is far-fetched, but to have that information at a first responder’s fingertips seems entirely useful. It would be ideal if there was a way for firefighters to know automatically the vulnerabilities of those they encounter. Imagine if this information consistently came through 911?

In its absence, spreading information is the best we can do and Canadian Firefighter is proud to be a forum for the conversation.

October 2019

Vol. 42, No. 4 cdnfirefighter.com

EDITOR

Laura Aiken laiken@annexbusinessmedia.com 416-522-1595

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Moriah Campbell mcampbell@annexbusinessmedia.com 416-510-5233

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Adam Szpakowski aszpakowski@annexbusinessmedia.com 289-221-6605

ACCOUNT COORDINATOR

Allyson Aritcheta aaritcheta@annexbusinessmedia.com 416-510-5232

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Beata Olechnowicz bolechnowicz@annexbusinessmedia.com

MEDIA DESIGNER

Brooke Shaw

VP SALES, GROUP PUBLISHER Martin McAnulty fire@annexbusinessmedia.com

COO

Scott Jamieson

MAILING ADDRESS

P.O. Box 530, 105 Donly Dr. S., Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

For a 1 year subscription (4 issues: January, April, July and October):

Canada — 1 Year $14.00 + tax

2 Year $22.00 + tax

3 Year $39.00 + tax GST # 867172652RT0001)

USA — $24.50 USD Foreign — $30.00 USD

CIRCULATION

lmalicdem@annexbusinessmedia.com Tel: 416-510-5187 Fax: 416-510-6875 or 416-442-2191 111 Gordon Baker Rd., Suite 400, Toronto, ON, M2H 3R1

ANNEX PRIVACY OFFICER

Privacy@annexbusinessmedia.com Tel: 800-668-2374

ISSN 1488 0865

PM 40065710

Occasionally, Canadian Firefighter will mail information on behalf of industry-related groups whose products and services we believe may be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive this information, please contact our circulation department in any of the four ways listed above.

Surrey Fire Service advances autism accessibility

British Columbia’s Surrey Fire Service, in partnership with the Canucks Autism Network, launched a sensory kit program to aid anyone with sensory processing needs during first responder or fire calls.

The Canucks Autism Network notes that individuals with autism are seven times more likely to interact with first responders than other members of the general public. Recognizing that there are over 16,000 children and youth in B.C. diagnosed with autism, Surrey Fire Service’s trained staff will now carry sensory kits on fire trucks to better serve the community. The kits include noise cancelling headphones, calming accessories and symbol cards, which will help first responders locate pain points on non-speaking children or adults, or anyone who may be overwhelmed at an incident.

New online resources aid in barn fire prevention and large animal rescue

Equine Guelph is now providing online resources on barn fire prevention and large animal rescue for all first responders and fire departments across Ontario.

Designed to help large animal owners take preventative actions on their farms, the free “workshop in a box” contains PowerPoint presentations, checklists, links and quizzes, to aid in a comprehensive barn fire prevention for farm owners.

Equine Guelph also offers on-going Large Animal Emergency Rescue training sessions, as well as a large animal rescue resource kit that includes online resources to reference after training completion. To date, over 280 first responders have completed specialized training in Large Animal Emergency Rescue hands-on workshops.

the world, more than 350

hectares burn annually. That’s about the size of India, reports CBC’s The Nature of Things in their Fire Hot

Ontario funds new urban search and rescue teams

Six municipalities in Ontario will split $2.5-million provincial dollars to establish new highly-specialized emergency response teams. The government’s investment will support 10 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams in North Bay, Ottawa, Peterborough, Thunder Bay, Toronto and Windsor.

The province said these USAR teams will be operated by their municipalities and will work to support provincial efforts through an agreement with the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management.

Development of the personal breathing apparatus made a historical attempt in 1825 with the asbestos and woven wire invention Apparatus Aldini, shared fire service historian Paul Hashagen online.

The teams will employ those with specialized skills to help when people are trapped in collapsed structures, assist with life-saving operations and provide immediate medical assistance to survivors.

The funding will also assist teams responding to incidents

involving the uncontrolled release of chemicals, biological agents, radioactive and nuclear contamination or explosions that cause widespread damage.

Based on international guidelines, there are three levels of USAR classification: light, medium and heavy.

Light capability teams can operate for up to 12 hours and are trained to search and stabilize structural wood systems, light metal components and un-reinforced masonry, whereas heavy capability teams can operate for up to 10 days and include capability for structural engineering and rigging for massive structural collapse.

All USAR teams will be certified to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and will be trained and operational in about three years, says the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

PHOTO: MIKE BIDEN

Around

million

Facts.

Help wanted Help wanted

How one municipality is encouraging volunteer firefighter recruitment.

By Peter Simpson

Firefighters are essential to the safety of our communities, yet many departments are facing a worrisome decline in volunteers. The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL), Nova Scotia has taken action, rolling out a comprehensive recruitment and retention strategy.

“Volunteers in the fire service, whether they be firefighters, auxiliary members or other volunteers, are vitally important to the provision of emergency services in the municipality,” said MODL Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, in a news release. “We are very grateful for the efforts of our fire service volunteers and acknowledge the urgent need to support them in ensuring their viability.”

Approved unanimously by MODL council, the strategy builds on the fact that fire departments provide an invaluable resource to communities.

Bolivar-Getson credited the work of the municipality’s Fire and Protective Services Committee for reaching out to fire departments for feedback on the challenges they face, and ways to mitigate them.

In 2017, the most recent year statistics are available, Lunenburg County’s estimated 700 volunteer firefighters from 26 fire departments responded to more than 1,100 emergency calls. The shortage of young firefighters is apparent in most fire halls. At one department, the average age of the five firefighters who responded to the most emergency calls last year was 67. Remove the youngest man from his group and the average age of the remaining four top responders rises to 72.

Many departments resort to placing “help wanted” signs outside their halls, imploring residents to consider volunteering as firefighters, medical first responders, and other non-fire ground duties.

Labelling the initiative as a strategic priority, MODL plans to invest up to $60,000 annually in recruitment and retention efforts that will include, but are not limited to:

• The development of specialized marketing materials

• Community outreach through attendance at local

events to promote the benefits of volunteering

• Recruitment toolkits for fire departments

• Increased recognition for firefighters, auxiliary members and other fire service volunteers

The 18-page document lists a menu of marketing strategies that MODL intends to initiate over the next few months, including radio and TV advertising, posters, brochures and social media.

Included in the strategy document is a notation that “giving back to my community” is the most common reason why an individual joined the fire service, and that 90 per cent of those men and women consider

Lunenburg volunteer firefighter Joe DeCoste and partner, Hebbville volunteer firefighter Emily Bowers, get a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment from helping to protect the residents and properties in their communities.

their volunteer experience with the fire service to be satisfying and enjoyable.

Spread the word

Sharing real life volunteer experiences with your community can help inspire engagement. Firefighter couple Joe DeCoste and Emily Bowers say volunteer firefighting has enriched each of their lives. DeCoste and Bowers are both Level 1 certified firefighters. DeCoste volunteered with the New Glasgow Fire Department in Nova Scotia for three years, and has been with the Lunenburg and District Fire Department since 2016. Bowers has served for three years with the Hebbville Fire Department in Nova Scotia.

“I joined the fire department to help my community, and be part of the fire service’s brotherhood and sisterhood – a great group of men and women who watch

each other’s backs,” said DeCoste. “When we respond to a call, I always try to give my best, regardless of the outcome.”

A production worker at Lunenburg’s High Liner Foods, DeCoste described a simple sight that gives him joy.

“I enjoy it when we roll out of the fire hall with our lights and siren on and the little kids at the daycare centre next door all gather at the fence with big smiles on their faces, waving to us.”

Bowers moved to Hebbville four years ago when she bought her grandfather’s house. Working as a freelance journalist, she says fire fighting is much different than anything she’s experienced before.

“My career is in journalism – writing and editing –nothing mechanical or physical. Learning about fire fighting strategies, the equipment and trucks has been both educational and challenging,” said Bowers. “At the end of a good practice, or after an emergency call, there’s a satisfying feeling I don’t get from my job or other aspects of my life.”

Bowers comes by the vocation naturally as her father, Peter Bowers, is a long-time member of the New Germany Fire Department in Nova Scotia.

She was a firefighter for a little more than a year when the King Steet fire happened in Bridgewater. It was her hands-on experience fighting the stubborn overnight blaze that strengthened her commitment to the fire service.

“It was amazing seeing firefighters from so many different departments naturally working together to bring order into that chaos,” said Bowers. “We are volunteers, but we are also professionals who are proud of what we accomplish.”

Bowers said the fire service is a huge part of her life, and the lives of her father and boyfriend. She said she feels it’s important people in her community get involved in some manner with the fire department.

We

are volunteers, but we are also professionals who are proud of what we accomplish, -

Emily Bowers

“Our communities rely on us to protect them and their properties. We are on the front lines and we need to do everything we can to try to grow the fire service to ensure its sustainability.”

When seeking volunteers, it’s important to not that participation can take many forms, not just on-scene fire fighting. Examples include equipment maintenance, medical first response, traffic control at motor vehicle collisions, accounting, radio room, vehicle extrication, record-keeping duties, and other important tasks.

Peter Simpson is a firefighter and medical first responder with the Dayspring & District Fire Department in Nova Scotia. Contact Peter at peter_simpson@hotmail.com.

Extrication tips

By Chad Roberts

What can we cut?

After recently doing some training with our auto ex team and shortly thereafter with my crew, I realized we had many different questions related to the scenarios and vehicles that were put in front of us. Why can’t I cut this? And how come I can cut it with this, but not that? I’m going to try and answer these and other typical questions related to cutting.

Before we get into why we can or can’t cut something, let’s talk about what we can use to cut. From manual tools, such as cable cutters and snips, to more extreme levels of power such as the Sawzall or hydraulic cutter, we must remember that we have many options in the box when it comes to cutting. Carefully choosing the right tool for a specific cutting application can be the difference between saving time and making things a lot worse. Over the rest of this article I’m going to address whether the following can be cut and if so, how we can safely do it: high voltage cables, seat belt pretensioners, airbag inflation cylinders, and gas hood/tailgate struts.

Carefully choosing the right tool for a specific cutting application can be the difference between saving time and making things a lot worse.

High voltage cabling is a fairly safe and easy place to start when it comes to cutting. These cables are generally labelled very clearly by their orange colouring. They usually run the length of the vehicle on the underside, either directly up the middle or sometimes off to one side. When it comes to cutting high voltage cables, the answer is a hard NO. With varying high voltage ratings up to 600 volts in some components, cutting these should always be avoided, even when the power is cut. The only exception in this case would be the “cut loop”. This is very

Chad Roberts is a firefighter in Oakville, Ont. He is a member of the Oakville extrication team and competes and trains across North America. Contact Chad at chadroberts12@gmail.com.

common in all Tesla models and is becoming more apparent in other hybrid/electric vehicles. While being colour coded in orange as well, this loop is clearly marked as a cut point to kill the power to the vehicle’s high voltage system.

Now let’s move on to something a little more misunderstood: seat belt pretensioners. To fully understand whether or not these can be cut, we must differentiate between the seat belt “tensioner” and the “pretensioner”. The tensioner is the physical part that houses the belt and when triggered, tightens the seat belt on impact. The pretensioner is the explosive charge that triggers the tensioner to do the job as previously mentioned. The locations of these in most vehicles we will see on the road today are in the upper or lower B post, or may be located at the buckle end of the restraint system by the base of the seat. The pretensioner is the part that should be completely avoided. The pretensioner is generally attached to the side or in very close proximity to the tensioner, and may even be easily identified as the piece with a wire running out from it (See picture). Expose and identify carefully before cutting.

When talking about airbag inflation cylinders, we have to be more careful choosing the correct tool. The airbag inflation cylinder can be located closely to each airbag, or sometimes wrapped in the airbag (see top picture). These cylinders house the charge that will fill the airbag. Exposing and identifying these cylinders is critical before making cuts. As with any hazards in the vehicle, it is always best practice to simply avoid them. However, what if we are faced with no other option in a tight space and a limited amount of time? This is where tool selection becomes imperative. By choosing the hydraulic cutters for this specific job, we run the risk of triggering an explosion. Just imagine squeezing a full can of pop until it finally bursts and you get an idea of what an airbag inflation cylinder might do

when cut with hydraulic cutters. Selecting the Sawzall will prove more effective and safer when cutting the cylinder. By cutting with the blade of the Sawzall, the hole created by the blade will help slowly release this gas. We must still recognize

Air bag inflation cylinder: Try to avoid cutting, but if absolutely necessary do so with a Sawzall and not a hydraulic cutter.

Seat belt tensioner and pretensioner: Avoid cutting the pr tensioner with the wiring on the side and the charge canister. However, the tensioner area can be cut.

this and be aware that the gas may escape as this can cause a visual and audible shock to our patients and possibly even the rescuers.

Lastly, we’ll talk about the gas shocks that can be located in hatchbacks, trunk lids and under the hoods of some vehicles. While these are a hazard when cut, they can easily be managed in a similar manner to that of the inflation cylinder. The key to the gas shocks, like all hazards, is exposing and identifying their locations. After this, we can attempt multiple options to safely mitigate the gas shock. First off, if the gas shock can be extended, it can be pried off easily at the attachment points with a pry bar or Halligan. If that option is not available, and cutting is the only option, make sure to extend the strut and cut the extended portion of the strut (not the cylinder), with either a hydraulic cutter or Sawzall (see picture above right). In the

worst case scenario, when the strut cannot be identified or extended, our safest bet is to revert to using the Sawzall. Much like the inflation cylinder previously mentioned, this will help safely release the stored pressure in the cylinder, rather than building pressure within the cylinder using hydraulic cutters.

With cutting and spreading being the bread and butter of the auto ex world, we

ROOKIE TO CHIEF…

should never stray away from the use of the cutters, Sawzalls, or other manual methods. However, with the advance in design, research and technology we must continue to educate ourselves on what we are cutting, how we are cutting it, and whether or not our tool of choice is the safest and best option for ourselves and our patients. Until next time, be smart and never stop watching, reading, listening and training.

Gas strut: this strut can be cut when fully extended, and by cutting the thinner portion of the strut, not the larger cylinder area.

Tools of the trade

By Sean Kingswell

Sean Kingswell is an experienced professional firefighter, personal trainer, fitness coach and the creator of the FIRESAFECADETS program. Contact Sean at firesafecadets@gmail.com.

The key to climbing stairs

Heading up numerous flights of stairs loaded with the heavy gear and equipment of fire fighting can be a demanding task. The lungs and legs are challenged most as the staircase begins to feel and even look steeper. We need to be capable and effective at this task for many reasons, including the fact that the stairs are just the trip to work. Often only a few flights are required based on protocol, but a full climb is always a possibility with the dynamic nature of the job.

Being efficient at getting to the fire is an important part of our job and a better understanding of climbing stairs can help us excel. We often associate lifting our leg with climbing, but it’s driving with the elevated leg that propels us. There are four steps (no pun intended) to taking a stair. The lead leg is lifted, which uses mainly hip flexors. The positioning of bunker pants can limit good hip flexion as can friction from sweat. Next, the foot makes contact with the step as the hamstring and glute are engaged isometrically and load with stored energy. Third, there is concentric firing of the hamstrings, glutes and quads that lift the body. Finally, we are on the once elevated leg and ready for the next step. It is a symbiotic relationship between many parts of the body that help us achieve this biomechanical process. Most lower body muscles are used, including

the glutes, adductors, abductors, quadriceps, calves and hamstrings. The calves and soleus are involved when the foot is pushing off in plantar flexion while the tibalis anterior is engaged during dorsiflexion as the foot lands on the step. The core is used significantly in many ways, from offsetting uneven loads to

There is an ideal form when it comes to climbing stairs. Depending on tread depth it is preferred to have as much foot as possible on the step.

transferring power to the upper body. We need to be able to maintain the proper speed when climbing. There is no need to be way ahead of your crew but falling behind won’t do. Cardio is an important part of stair climbing and some -

thing we should work on regularly for many parts of the profession. We need to be careful when descending stairs, as heading down can be very hard on the body and a nemesis to the knees.

There is an ideal form when it comes to climbing stairs. Depending on tread depth it is preferred to have as much foot as possible on the step. Pushing with more foot than toe allows us to engage the strong posterior chain of our body. This includes the large glutes rather than the smaller knee muscles which are prioritized when we are on our toes. The same principles apply in the gym for squats and other movements. Toe dominant climbing is hard on the shin and foot and reduces leverage and balance. If you notice that the knee is collapsing during a climb (falling inward) this can be due to a weak hip and needs to be corrected. Try not to lock out the knee and look to ex-

tend the hip ahead of the knee. Leaning too far forward is not proper form and holding the handrail can be an asset but do not pull on it.

In a gym setting we can improve our stair climb by working the lower body muscles. Endurance training in this area can help as climbing many flights can last a lot longer than a typical strength set. Unilateral training can also be helpful. This can mean working each leg independently as well as doing work with loads on one side for upper body exercises. Core strength is required to be good at stairs and this can be improved through core isolation movements or compound movements that work other body parts and include the core. There are many modalities to consider when we select a routine but often the principle of simplicity is best applied. A great way to get better at climbing stairs is to climb stairs. Real stairs will be better than a stair climber or step mill but these machines will be an asset also. Try to carry some weight at times as the best-case scenario in reality is bunker gear and SCBA while more typically also loaded down by hose, tools, spare bottles, etc. Workouts on a staircase can involve any combination including two steps at a time, single steps at different speeds, and often such routines turn into interval training naturally. Be careful coming down or take the elevator and be sure to stretch afterwards. Consider incorporating stair climbing into your regular routine along with exercises that support it.

Taking the stairs is a four movement biomechanical process that engages many parts of the body.

Understanding autism

Firefighters need tools to deliver care to people with autism.

By Ben Wilson

Editor’s Note: Ben Wilson, captain of fire prevention at the Surrey Fire Service in British Columbia, is the father of a child with autism. He wrote this article in hopes of raising awareness of the issue amongst those in the fire service. Wilson has been developing and delivering autism awareness training to first responders in Western Canada since 2015. He co-founded the First Responder Advisory Committee at the Canucks Autism Network.

Imagine you are responding to a motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival, the driver is unresponsive. Witnesses report that a passenger exited the vehicle and was seen walking down the highway.

You spot the passenger, a 20-something male. He appears to be standing in traffic, waving his hands and rocking back and forth, mumbling to himself. When you ask him if he needs help, he ignores you. You notice blood running freely from a large laceration on his scalp. When you attempt to assist him, he screams and tries to run from the scene.

This patient could be suffering from a traumatic head injury. He could be intoxicated. He could be suffering from hypoglycemia. Or, it

could be something else.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), commonly referred to as autism, is a complex neuro developmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behaviour. The most recent data from the Public Health Agency of Canada in 2015 shows that one in 66 children are diagnosed with autism. Here are the statistics:

• Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2015).

• 40 per cent of children with autism do not speak (www.nationalautismassociation.org)

• 25 per cent of individuals with autism are nonverbal (www. canucksautism.ca)

• 49 per cent of children with autism wander from a safe environment (www.nationalautismassociation.org)

• Between 2009 and 2011, accidental drowning accounted for 91 per cent of deaths in children with autism, subsequent to wandering (CDC, 2012)

• Autism has a large impact in our communities, as one in 17 grandparents have a grandchild with autism

• A first responder is seven times more likely to come into contact with an individual with autism than the average person (Sokol, J.M., 2011)

Autism is an invisible disorder. There aren’t any recognizable physical traits to alert firefighters

that a person may have autism. There are many associated disorders that may accompany autism such as seizure disorders, pica, sleeping disorders, sensory processing disorders, and ADD, ODD, ADHD, etc.

Autism is a vast spectrum and individuals with autism, just like neurotypical individuals, have different strengths and weaknesses. As Dr. Stephen Shore said, it is important to remember, “If you’ve met a person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.”

The following are some characteristics of autism.

• Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity: Individuals with autism will have difficulty maintaining back and forth conversation and exhibit reduced interests and emotions. A great example of this behaviour is Jim Parsons’s character, Sheldon Cooper, from The Big Bang Theory.

• Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviours: Individuals with autism may not understand body language, facial expressions, sarcasm, etc.

• Deficits in speech, ranging from no speech to typical speech: Individuals with autism may have difficulties in speech, but it doesn’t mean that they cannot communicate through other mediums such as a pen and paper, sign language, or a speech-aid like an iPad.

• Excessive adherence to routines, ritualized patterns and excessive resistance to change: Individuals with autism may experience stress

when their schedule changes or when something is new.

• Highly restricted and fixated interests: Individuals with autism may have strong attachments to specific objects, very strong “special interests,” or difficulty changing topics.

• Hyper-reactivity or hypo-reactivity to sensory input: Individuals with autism may have adverse responses to lights, sounds, textures, smells, pain, etc.

• Self-harming behaviour: Individuals with autism may exhibit self-harming behaviour such as head banging, punching and biting as a coping mechanism to manage stress or sensory overload.

In the fire service, one of our primary functions is patient care. Unfortunately, our foundational training does not provide us with the skills or knowledge to deliver the best care that we can to a

person with autism. In fact, it is arguable that our protocols are counterproductive and will likely escalate the behaviours of the individual and negatively impact the outcome of the incident. As firefighters, we need the tools to deliver care while managing the different needs of a person with autism in an effective, efficient, and compassionate manner.

Firefighters should implement the following key strategies when responding to an incident involving a person with autism.

• Listen to the parents and caregivers: They know the individual best. If appropriate, administer and direct patient care through them, especially hands-on interaction.

• Reduce sensory inputs: Evaluate the scene, eliminate unnecessary stimuli such as flashing lights, sirens, noisy diesel engines, and people. Reduce the number of first responders caring for the patient to a minimum. Move the patient to a quiet and isolated

space such as bedroom or back of an ambulance. Wrapping the patient in a blanket may reduce stress and increase a sense of security.

• Front-loading: Tell the patient exactly what you are going to do and how it’s going to feel before you do it.

• Redirection: Focusing on a patient’s interests can help calm and distract the individual from a situation that is causing stress.

• Take your time: An incident involving a person with autism is going to require more time to resolve. Be patient and be empathetic. You may have to take breaks. If you rush the incident or force patient care, the situation will escalate.

• Search: If you are involved in a search for a person with autism, search the most dangerous places first. Search nearby water sources first, then railway tracks/major roadways and known runaway loca-

Ben Wilson (left) with his daughter and another Surrey firefighter at a sensory-friendly open house held at a fire hall in Surrey, B.C.

GEAR WE CAN CUSTOMIZE YOUR

tions. In the home, there is likely a familiar place the individual retreats to.

If a person is alone and his or her behaviour is atypical, be on the lookout for the characteristics of autism. Look for a medic alert bracelet or jewelry that is shaped like a puzzle piece, which is the international symbol of autism. Some homes may have a puzzle-shaped sticker on the front to alert firefighters that a person with autism resides in the residence. In motor vehicle incidents you may be able to locate alert information on seatbelts or car seats.

An individual with autism may have an escalated episode as a result of stress related to an emergency incident. The behaviour will be similar to a fight-or-flight response. The individual will try to run away or, if confined, will lash out physically. For firefighters, it is important to monitor and manage the stress level of the patient to prevent an escalated episode from occurring.

Individuals with autism can have under-developed trunk muscles and be subject to positional asphyxiation if left lying face down. This often occurs during police incidents when an individual is handcuffed. During any incident, ensure the individuals who are unconscious or detained are left in the recovery position.

The Canucks Autism Network has developed a free autism awareness training program for first responders available at https://elearn.canucksautism.ca. It’s approximately one hour long, perfect for night training, available online, and can easily be distributed to all members. Additional resources are also available at https://www.canucksautism.ca/awareness-training/ first-responders/.

Another great resource is the Big Red Safety Tool Kit developed by the National Autism Association and is available at no cost from www.nationalautismassociation.org. It may be beneficial to keep a copy of this resource on fire apparatus.

April is Autism Awareness Month. Firefighters can engage with the autism organizations in your community, such as the Canucks Autism Network, as the organization may have resources to assist you, or can direct you to an organization that does. Champion autism awareness training in your fire department. We can be better. Engage in dialogue with colleagues about autism. And, organize a fire department open house for persons with autism and dispel the mystery about autism for members in your organization. As an added benefit, familiarization with the local fire department can alleviate a significant amount of stress that a person with autism may experience during an emergency incident.

Ben Wilson has 14 years of experience in the fire service in suppression, training, public education, prevention and investigation. If you have any questions or are interested in providing awareness training about autism to your department, contact Ben at benlwilson@gmail.com.

Fit for duty

By Sherry Dean

Finding your motivation

Chances are if you are reading this column you either like fitness or like the sound of fitness. What makes one group different from the other? Action. As simple as that sounds, it is the great divide. There are exceptions to every rule and most of us will have moments when we struggle to get off the sofa, yet something eventually inspires us to do so.

A recent conversation with a colleague, who has been an Olympic level coach and has spent years training elite athletes, circled around mental toughness in training. He has worked with gifted athletes who never push as hard as other less talented athletes and who ultimately don’t perform as well. We agreed this is similar for firefighters. There are those who will work a fire until they vomit and those who will do just about anything to avoid work regardless of how big and strong their potential. The mental toughness it takes to work hard enough to throw up at a fire most likely transfers into other facets of life, including training. Whether that training is physical fitness or fire fighting training, he or she is putting in the needed effort to perform well.

Sometimes the missing element can be confidence. Self-doubt, apprehension, and reluctance are difficult to overcome. Especially in the competitive world of fire fighting type As. Comparing strength or speed to others can leave some folks feeling as if they can’t keep up, so they never try. If this is you, setting realistic, small goals is a good approach. Your efforts will pay off. As your strength, speed or cardio improves, so will your confidence. Another aspect that holds us back is not liking the hard work. There is

Sherry Dean is a career firefighter/engineer with Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency. She has more than 20 years of experience in fitness and training . Sherry can be reached at sherrydean363@ gmail.com.

I’ve often heard people say it’s hard to get a workout started, but seldom do they say it wasn’t worth it when it’s over.

no getting around the fact that pushing your limits to improve and maintain your fitness for fire fighting is difficult work. For those folks, you have to ask why they chose fire fighting as it’s inherently difficult work. I’ve often heard people say it’s hard to get a workout started, but seldom do they say it wasn’t worth it when it’s over. That is the biggest incentive to get up and move when you’d like nothing better than to stay put. Remembering how good it feels to achieve completion is something worth writing down and looking at when you need inspiration.

A general lack of motivation and stress can also stifle activity. Hostile work environments, bad calls, relationship difficulties or financial issues can all lead to idleness. Being motivated is not something that simply happens for everyone. It is something you have to make a mental note to create. Exercise and fitness are not only about your body; for many of us, it is also about what happens in our mind. There is great value in finding a supportive workout partner to urge you on and help get you moving when you are

struggling alone. You will likely be able to return the favour.

Road blocks will exist for most people at some point in time when it comes to fitness. No matter what it is that holds you back from being active on a regular basis, making a conscious mental note to take a step, and then another, is one of the best ways to progress. Your progress will be your motivator.

Time to dig in and make a commitment to do this work out. Work hard. Be safe.

5 rounds for time

1. 5 - Strict pull ups

2. 10 - Man-makers (A pushup holding dumbbells, single arm row R/L in pushup plank position, jump feet toward hand and move into a squat position bringing dumbbells to shoulder, stand and press both dumbbells overhead, repeat x 10)

3. 20 - Butterfly sit-ups (lay with legs bent and bottom of feet touching together, sit-up until your shoulders pass your hip crease, repeat x 20)

4. 50 - Air squats

5. 400m - Run

Front seat

ByJason Clark

Clarity is key on scene

There are many things that a basic firefighter program teaches. Fire behavior, ground ladders and water supply are just a few of the many topics that are covered. As many other figures in the fire service have said in the past, the job of being a firefighter is one where there is a constant need for learning and sharpening skill sets. As firefighters, we are all apprentices of a trade that requires constant learning. Whether it is self-learning, in class or hands on training, the learning never stops. The same applies to fire officers. We must always be learning from our training, experiences and mistakes.

I had a vision in my mind of what we needed to do to perform the job, but I didn’t properly communicate the request.

I initially went to post-secondary school for public relations and communications. The program gave me some insight into the art of being a good communicator. On the fire scene, verbal communication can be one of those skill sets that suffers because we can get involved with the immediate task on hand or we can get flooded with information from dispatch reports, frantic civilians or other agencies on scene. As a new officer I know I need to be -

has been a volunteer firefighter in southwestern Ontario since 2007. Having recently made the transition to captain from firefighter,

has had a new perspective on roles in the fire service and riding in the front seat. jaceclark71@gmail.com or twitter @jacejclark

come better at packing that information and passing it on to my fellow crew members in the form of a request. One of those ways of becoming a good communicator is to be specific with your team.

I worked in customer service a few years before the fire service. One of the best pieces of advice that was given to me was when a customer comes in and asks for a product that you have, don’t just point them in the direction of where it is located. Take the time and walk them there or pass them off to the correct associate, then explain what the product does. This can eliminate frustration from the customer when they either can’t find what you pointed out or if they have other questions pertaining to their purchase and you are nowhere to be found.

Translating that to the fire service and as a leader of a

team or a company, think of your crew and other officers as your customers. If I was to communicate on a fire scene and say, “I need a crew at the Charlie side of the building”, I just pointed my ‘customer’ in a general direction and that leaves a lot to the imagination to comply with that request. Instead try: “Team 2 go to the Charlie side with a 45mm line, you’re going to force entry and assist Team 1 with fire attack.”

This gives the company officer and their crew an idea that in addition to their normal tools they carry (TIC, flashlights etc.) they are going to need their irons and to facilitate stretching a line to the back of the building.

We acquired a commercial structure for a multiple station training and it was there I learned how not being specific when functioning as a team leader can cause some confusion. We had simulated

an explosion at an industrial facility. Crews had made entry to the front to deal with the fire and to perform search and rescue. One of the curve balls thrown in the exercise was that there was a pinned employee underneath a forklift at the rear of the structure. After I gave my Conditions, Actions and Needs report (CAN), I called for “tools off the rescue” to assist with the extrication. The officer replied very calmly, “The Rescue truck has a lot of tools, do you want to be more specific?”

It was clear that I wasn’t being specific and had a vision in my mind of what I needed to perform the job, but didn’t get the request communicated properly. The solution for this scenario was for me to call for the Rescue truck to reposition at the rear of the building. This allowed for a sector to be established and for the specific tools to be brought in the rear entrance in a more rapid fashion by crews.

The best place to hone these skills with your crews is on the training ground or even after a call. Talk it out if something didn’t go smoothly due to communication or unclear requests. We learn a lot of subjects in fire school and officer training, but mind reading 101 hasn’t been implemented quite yet. I’ve learned that I can’t expect my crews to read my mind and that I need to verbally and specifically paint that picture of what I am after in order to be a better communicating captain.

Jason Clark

Jason

On the fire scene, verbal communication can be a skill set that suffers.

Back to basics

By Mark van der Feyst

Mark van der Feyst is a full-time firefighter with the WFD, an author, international instructor and a trainer for the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy. Contact Mark at Mark@FireStarTraining.com.

The four causes of disorientation

We previously looked at SCBA emergencies with respect to firefighter survival, which leads us to our next area of focus: disorientation emergencies. Every firefighter can become disoriented inside a structure when performing interior operations, it is very easy to do. Some disoriented firefighters have made it out alive and some have not.

Let’s first look at why/how we become disoriented. The why aspect is answered by our need to see things or be able to visualize what we are doing. When we are blinded in a situation, we can no longer see or visualize what it is that we are dealing with. When we lose our ability to see, our minds cannot function normally as they should when we can see. This causes us to become “lost” within our own minds. If we couple that with being in a strange environment, we have a disorientation disaster waiting for us.

How do we become disoriented? There are four common causes as to how we become disoriented: loss of reference point, a fall due to partial collapse of the structure, a collapse of structural components and/or rapidly deteriorating interior conditions. Let’s explore these further.

A loss of reference point is the most common reason why disorientation occurs, and it is the easiest because every firefighter has the capability to lose their reference point. What does this mean? It means the firefighter took their hand or body part off the wall or they left the hose line! Redundancy is when we have fail- safes in place to protect us from harm. In the case of interior operations, the redundancy factor is the reference point of the building wall or the hose line that

When you communicate the need for help with Command, the sequence of the RIT operation can be initiated quickly. A delay in notifying Command will mean a delay in help being dispatched.

we bring in with us because it is always there. When we momentarily leave that point our minds lose the ability to know where we are and at that moment and we become disoriented. Most of the time, this will be the fault of the firefighter.

In the event of a fall due to a partial collapse of a structure, a firefighter falls from one area to another because the structure has partially fallen away or is collapsing in certain areas. Once a firefighter falls through a floor below, they have lost their reference point and default back to their previous point. The firefighter has now lost their reference point. The falling through the floor is not the firefighter’s fault, it is the building’s fault. Avoiding the fall is what we try to do by sounding or feeling the floor in front of us as we navigate along.

During a collapse of structural components, the building is failing and collapse is occurring. Once this happens, the reference point disappears from the firefighter rendering the firefighter lost. Once this happens, we are defaulting back to point number one.

When there are rapidly deterior-

ating interior conditions, the situation becomes similar to the previous point but with conditions being the main focal point. The firefighter will be experiencing a flashover, backdraft, smoke explosion or a rapidfire event. When this happens, the firefighter may lose their point of reference and become disoriented.

Now that we have identified the common reasons firefighters becomes disoriented, what can they do to help themselves when lost?

The first thing to do is stop and gain control of the situation. This may sound easy, but it is not. Most firefighters want to do something right away to fix the situation. This is where they start to work against themselves, and at the same time, fatigue themselves in the process. By taking a timeout of about two to five seconds, the firefighter will be able to stop what they are doing, assess the situation and hopefully be able to take control of it.

This will take some practice to perfect because our natural sense is to react right away – fight or flight. When we have elevated heart rates, our cognitive processes and fine motor skills deteriorate. This is what

Maintain building orientation by always keeping contact with the hose line or wall.

PHOTO: MARK VAN DER FEYST

hurts firefighters and where they work against themselves.

Secondly, do a quick size up of the situation. This is a part of the “time out” that the firefighter needs to take in order to get control of the situation. Sizing up the situation includes current air status, mobility impairments, environmental conditions, accountability of other crew members, etc. By gathering the information quickly, the firefighter will gain better control of the situation. Thirdly, communicate with your fellow crew members or with Command. This is vitally important for the survival of the firefighter, especially notifying Command. When you communicate the need for help with Command, the sequence of the RIT operation can be initiated quickly. A delay in notifying Command will mean a delay in help being dispatched. This is where the mayday call comes in.

The fourth thing that can be done is to search for a reference point. In order for firefighters to rescue themselves from the situation that they are in, they will need to quickly reorient themselves. This will involve finding a new reference point such as a wall, hose line, window, door, etc. By doing this, they will be able to determine where they might be and hopefully use that new reference point to get themselves out. We will discuss this in more detail in the coming months.

The last thing that can be done is to execute an emergency escape. Once an exterior opening has been located, the firefighter can then perform an emergency escape maneuver such as a head first ladder dive, the hang and drop, window bail out with a rope system, or a hose slide. This will get the firefighter out of the building quickly and efficiently. We will dive into these in more detail a few months from now.

To reinforce the need to maintain building orientation is to train on it. The simplest drills can be conducted to do this with a focus on keeping the body to the building.

Locate an exterior opening and perform an emergency escape maneuver.

Recipe rescue

By Patrick Mathieu

Super seafood

Did you know Canada is home to 243, 042 km of coastline?

That’s huge. The Great White North touches on the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans, an integral border of the Great Lakes and has an extremely high number of fresh water inland lakes – 31,752 according to the Atlas of Canada!

Oh yes, that means that as Canadians, not only are we in for some serious seaside fun, but Canada is home to some of the freshest seafood in the world. From coast to coast and in-between, Canada is world-renowned for its lobster, crab, oysters, freshwater fish like trout, perch and pickerel and, of course, our West Coast varieties of salmon.

I’ve learned over the years through my cooking classes that, as much as people really love it, they can be intimidated by cooking seafood at home. With such an abundance of options, it would be a shame to not make the most of our Canadian treasures of the sea.

Let’s dig a little deeper into some of my favourite types of seafood and how you can become a master cooking them at home.

Lobster: The cold waters of the North Atlantic surrounding Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are home to the best lobsters in the world, without a doubt. Attend a lobster fest in July when it is peak season in any of these places and you’ll see why. Sweet, briny and rich, cold-water lobster meat is prized all over the world.

Steaming and boiling are two of the most popular methods to cook lobster, but don’t forget about the grill and broiler. If you don’t want the trouble of cooking the lobster,

Patrick Mathieu is an acting captain at Waterloo Fire Rescue in Ontario and author of Firehouse Chef: Favourite Recipes from Canada’s Firefighters. Contact Patrick at stationhousecateringco@yahoo.ca.

most good supermarkets will steam the lobster for you in store. This is a great alternative when looking to make a lobster roll, lobster pasta, lobster salad, lobster poutine, lobster eggs benedict or lobster nachos.

Scallops: My father-in-law lives on the west coast of Nova Scotia, which is home to the world’s best scallops. Scallops are similar to crab or lobster in taste but they have a firmer texture. The flavour tends to be sweet, buttery and delicate, and when cooked correctly you may just be experiencing the best seafood flavour in the world – not to mention that scallops are more than 80-per-cent protein. One three-ounce serving provides 20 grams of protein and just 95 calories. They’re also a good source of both magnesium and potassium.

Pan-seared is my method of choice to enjoy the rich sweetness of scallops on their own. Don’t forget about your grill and broiler and add them on top of pastas, salads or make a scallop burger.

Oysters: Both the east and west coast claim to have the best tasting oysters. It is all a matter of preference. The waters in which oysters grow imbue them with the characteristics of the location. Atlantic oysters have rough, thick shells with a tinge of green from their seaweed environment, which gives them a salty, briny and vegetative (often described as cucumber) flavour and aroma. Pacific oysters grow in a sandier environment. Their cleaner white to black shells hold oysters that are sweet and creamy with a slightly metallic (or mineral) flavour. Oysters are trad-

Slow roasted salmon with chilies and citrus can be cooked in an oven or, even better, on a smoker.

itionally named for the bay, town or region from which they come such as Malpeque, Aspy Bay, Raspberry Point and Small Gorge Inlet, so it makes it easy to remember your favourites. It was said that oysters should be eaten only in months with the letter “R” (September through April). The reason that oysters are best during fall and winter is because they are spawning during summer and their texture changes from firm to milky and the flavour from sweet to bitter. But new varieties, such as West Coast Kumamoto oysters that spawn in September and October are best in the summer, making good Canadian oysters available all year long. Enjoy east coast oysters from October to Valentine’s Day and west coast oysters from mid-February to October.

Perch and Pickerel: For me, living within a two-hour drive of three Great Lakes, I get super-excited for summertime and perch and pickerel season. Beach towns that dot the coastline of lakes Erie, Huron and Ontario offer up this perfect Canadian fish and chips. Known as the ultimate pan fish, perch and its close friend, pickerel, are meant to be pan-fried and served straight up with chips, but they can easily be thrown on the grill and made into a fish taco. I cannot get enough of this super-mild fresh water fish. Oh, and I’m not forgetting about Gimli, Manitoba, on Lake Winnipeg, which stakes its claim to be the best place in the country to catch pickerel.

Pacific Coast Wild Salmon: Most of Canada’s wild salmon comes from the coast off British Columbia and it has earned an international reputation as a premium quality, highly nutritious and delicious natural product. Born in the cold coastal and interior waters of B.C., wild salmon swim to the open Pacific Ocean to mature and return to their native waters to spawn. With only pure surroundings and natural foods throughout the wild salmon’s life, they are bound to produce a super-quality fish. Salmon recipes are abundant. Whether it be bake, poach, broil, smoke

or grill, there is no shortage of ways to turn the delicate, flaky fish into something amazing. Currently, I am in love with slow roasted salmon with citrus and chilies. Give it a try in the oven or, even better, on a smoker.

Friends, I hope these recipes help in taking the fear out of cooking super-quality seafood at home. As always, send pictures of your creations or contact me with any questions or reviews. Eat well and stay safe.

Recipe rescue

Perfectly Steamed Lobster

1. Use a pot large enough to comfortably hold the lobsters and fill with water so it comes up sides about two inches. Feel free to use a steaming rack to place the lobsters on or just add directly to the pot.

2. Add 2 tablespoons of salt for each quart of water. If you have sea salt, even better.

3. Bring water to a rolling boil over high heat. Place lobsters in the pot (head first), cover tightly, return to a boil as quickly as possible and start counting the time.

4. Steam a lobster for seven minutes per pound, for the first pound. Add three minutes per pound for each additional pound thereafter. See chart below for approximate cooking times. Regulate the heat if the froth starts to bubble over.

5. Carefully remove lobsters from the pot with tongs. Be careful, they are very hot. Set in a large bowl for five minutes to cool before cracking. Served with drawn butter or enjoy in your favorite recipe.

STEAMING LOBSTER TIMES

1 to 1 1/4 lbs – 7 to 9 minutes

1 to 1/2 lb – 9 to 11 minutes

2 lbs – 11 to 12 minutes

3 lbs – 12 to 14 minutes

5 lbs - 22 to 24 minutes

Grilled Oysters with Chorizo Butter

INGREDIENTS

4 ounces fresh Mexican chorizo, casings removed

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

18 Canadian oysters, scrubbed Cilantro leaves and finely grated lime zest, for garnish

1. In a skillet cook the chorizo over moderate heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as you go until browned and starting to become crisp, about eight minutes. Scrape into a bowl and let cool.

2. Add 1 tablespoon of water to the skillet and simmer over low heat. Add the butter to the skillet a few cubes at a time, whisking constantly until melted before adding more. Stir in the chorizo and lime juice and season with salt and pepper. Keep warm over very low heat.

3. Light a grill. Place the oysters on the grill, flat side up. Grill over high heat until the shells open slightly. Carefully transfer to a platter and, using kitchen gloves or a mitt, remove the top shell. Spoon the chorizo butter onto the oysters and garnish with a cilantro leaf and lime zest. Serve right away. Bon appetit.

FSWO

OUT OF THE ASHES:

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF FSWO

Louise Hine-Schmidt

Now more than ever, fire departments are being asked to be accountable and responsive to the communities they serve and that means a commitment to inclusion and diversity. Fire Service Women Ontario is committed to helping fire departments make that commitment a reality. We are pleased to partner with Canadian Firefighter magazine to bring a twice-yearly round-up of news and ideas to challenge your lens and grow your ideas.

FSWO’s goal is to educate, encourage and empower women in the fire service. We seek to inspire positive change, develop a diverse workforce, develop our potential, recognize role models and mentors at all levels, and foster professional and supportive relationships and networks among women in the fire service. We are a member-driven, non-profit organization. Any person of any gender who supports our mandate is welcome to join as a member, whether as an individual, department, or union.

This year marks our 10th anniversary. I’d like to tell you how FSWO was formed from the ashes of a near tragedy.

On February 12, 2007, Ottawa Fire Services responded to a working structure fire in an attached three-

Continued on page 4

FSWO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT

Louise Hine-Schmidt

VICE PRESIDENT

Pike Krpan

TREASURER

Debbie Higgins

SECRETARY

Lydia Wilcox

DIRECTORS

Tracey Shields

Taylor Wardhaugh

Vannetta Tustian

Cheryl Hunt

Chelsey Dempsey

Sheri Fisher

Jim Andrews

STUDENT

DIRECTOR

Jenn Gordon

WHY YOUR DEPARTMENT SHOULD OFFER A TRAINING CAMP FOR YOUNG WOMEN

Fire departments across Canada are realizing the benefits of hosting firefighting training programs for young women. With women making up only 3%-5% of front-line emergency response roles, it’s no surprise that the main goal of these programs is to introduce firefighting to those who may not have considered the fire service as a career. “Being able to see yourself in those roles is difficult if you are a woman, or more so, a woman of colour,” explains Sue Jones, organizer of Camp FFIT (Female Firefighters in Training) of Ottawa Fire Services. (This program was truly the groundbreaking program in Canada.) “We run the camp to introduce the field to young women. Many women who have discussed how they got into firefighting share a story of someone planting the idea for them.”

Continued on page 2

WHY YOUR DEPARTMENT SHOULD OFFER A TRAINING CAMP FOR YOUNG WOMEN

Continued from front page 1

Fostering more women to consider firefighting is a goal, but perhaps more specifically these programs create the ideal environment to build more skilled firefighters — who also happen to be women. Allison Vickerd, who runs Camp FFIT in London, Ontario, suggests that we have so much to gain in strengthening future candidates by offering them an initial training environment that is open and supportive where mistakes are expected and learned from. “Supporting an individual’s confidence and ability to be successful in the fire service will hopefully lead to less struggles down the road. Women have pushed through on their own for a long time and no one knew what they dealt with. If we can mentor them through the tough stuff earlier, the better,” she explains. Here are the best tips that from camp organizers from across the country on how to build a successful program for all stakeholders involved.

1

HAVE A VISION. What type of program works best for your department? What age group or demographic would you like to invite to be a part of your department? Is it a one-day introductory program or multiple days? Do you partner with other emergency services to offer a glimpse into different careers? Maybe your program consists mainly of station tours, visiting dispatch and putting on gear. Maybe it’s a weeklong program culminating in a live fire scenario. Some departments collaborate with other departments to offer a regional program, such as Camp Ignite in B.C.’s lower mainland or Camp Molly in the Halton region of Ontario. Programs take a lot of planning effort to get off the ground, so build something sustainable and relevant to your context.

2

BUILD

A TEAM. Getting early support from the top is critical, but fire department management is by no means your only important team members. “Not everyone has to be a senior officer,” says Vickerd. “Even though newer firefighters might be intimidated by other ranks, through planning programs like this they will be stronger members of your department ready to take on more responsibility.“ Many programs enlist the volunteer help of firefighters who are in the lull period between attending fire training school and employment. During this time period, there is very little opportunity to get on the fire ground and do some work. These volunteers

are future colleagues and you can assist in their development. Many participants are the daughters of firefighters who work in your department, so involve those parent firefighters as well, Vickerd says. They become the most vocal and strongest advocates for the program as they see the personal growth in their child as a result of their involvement.

3

OFFER REALISTIC AND CHALLENGING EVOLUTIONS.

Prepare to be surprised by the courage and risk-taking that your participants will take. Give them every opportunity to try, see and feel tools by making everything hands-on. It’s important for the participants to see women just like them lifting and using the equipment, so they know they can do the same. “They have no shortage of potential, just a shortage of appropriate encouragement and support,” says Andrea Speranza, organizer of Camp Courage and Captain at Halifax Regional Fire and Rescue Service.

4

CREATE PARTNERSHIPS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE YOUR DEPARTMENT.

Engaging exterior sources of funding can assist to offer a camp with little to no cost, which is important to reduce barriers for youth. Local businesses were more than happy to support the camp money program through the donation of meals, T-shirts, chair rentals, water bottles and bunker gear, says Monique Belair, Deputy Chief of Oakville Fire and organizer of Camp Molly. She suggests approaching businesses both inside and outside the fire service. Fire equipment suppliers and trainers have also donated their time to teach participants how to use their tools. Other programs partner with community organizations and school boards to promote and sponsor participants. City departments, especially city recreation, are important groups to make a camp a reality. They may be able to handle promotion, registration and payment through their infrastructure, leaving you to focus on what fire departments do best: developing high-quality and safe fire training.

Don’t forget to involve your local firefighter association or union. They likely have deep connections to community organizations and local businesses. Tap into the network of community relationships that associations work so hard to establish. Last, don’t reinvent the wheel. Fire Service Women Ontario can support and back your program,

connecting you to people and resources to make your first camp successful. Be sure to acknowledge all partnerships on your flyers, publications and emails about the program.

5

GET YOUR MESSAGING RIGHT. Media is an important tool extending the value of your camp beyond the actual day of programming. Local media want to cover this feel-good story and the value of images of capable women firefighters and their supportive male colleagues is immeasurable. B.C.’s Camp Ignite even won a IAFF media award for their video footage of the program. For bigger departments, work with your corporate communications division to ensure your messaging is inline with corporate policy, says Monique Belair of Oakville. The fire department might struggle to keep up with the ever-changing world of social media communications, but your target demographic certainly isn’t struggling — so use these young people’s expertise. Provide opportunities for them to help you create visual content that will connect your fire department with their peers and the public at large. “I love seeing all the participants change their online profile pictures to active images of themselves in bunker gear,” says Pike Krpan, organizer of Camp FFIT of Hamilton Fire. “I can see the ripple effect as dozens of friends and family comment, like and share images of their loved one succeeding. That’s an inspiration to others.”

6

MENTORING DOESN’T END AT THE CLOSE OF CAMP.

While we tend to focus on delivering a dynamic and safe program, it’s at the end of camp that so much mentoring begins. Young women want to get connected to further training, education and potential career paths. Halifax’s Camp Courage offers bursaries to students who pursue emergency service-related education, and connect interested women to a mentor.

Mentoring doesn’t just mean the young women participants, either. A key benefit are the relationships that women firefighters with each other develop while teaching. Many women firefighters rarely if ever

“SUPPORTING AN INDIVIDUAL’S CONFIDENCE AND ABILITY TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE FIRE SERVICE WILL HOPEFULLY LEAD TO LESS STRUGGLES DOWN THE ROAD. WOMEN HAVE PUSHED THROUGH ON THEIR OWN FOR A LONG TIME AND NO ONE KNEW WHAT THEY DEALT WITH. IF WE CAN MENTOR THEM THROUGH THE TOUGH STUFF EARLIER, THE BETTER,”

get the opportunity to work directly with each other — the leadership and real-life networking opportunities available at camps are almost impossible to access for women. “I am a better incident commander because of Camp Courage,” notes Captain Andrea Speranza. Keep encouraging their development by offering leadership opportunities in developing camps and seek out women-focused opportunities for them such as FSWO’s annual training symposium.

7BE INSPIRED BY THE

YOUTH

. An important measure of long-term success is how many participants return to their communities as volunteer or career firefighters, or in other emergency service roles. Dozens across Canada have done so! But short-term success is also apparent. At Camp Molly, one participant had been involved in a serious car fire 10 years earlier. Participating in the camp was a pathway to overcome some of her fears and assist in PTSD treatment. The parent of another young participant from Pakistan noted that the camp allowed her daughter the opportunity to step outside her cocoon in Canada and fly. Many young women also return to camps as volunteers and mentor the next generation. Multiple organizers noted that if a young woman realizes she’s not cut out for firefighting as a result of the program, that’s also a success. The overall value of the program is in offering participants obstacles and supporting them to overcome them — an important life skill. While some would argue that this isn’t a career for anyone who has to be “invited” to the table, Sue Jones of Ottawa disagrees. “I contend that this career is for anyone with the strength to pursue it and commit to it.”

OUT OF THE ASHES:

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF FSWO

Continued from front page 1

storey row house. Five Ottawa firefighters were injured, two critically. One of the critically injured was a probationary firefighter named Carissa Campbell-Darmody. She responded on the first pump with her crew who entered the structure to search for a reported trapped civilian. All three crew members were forced to jump out of a three-storey window onto the pavement below when conditions rapidly changed from light smoke to intolerable heat. Injuries sustained during the fall put Carissa and her lieutenant out of duty for many months. Carissa sustained burns to her arm, fracture to her foot, broken teeth and broken vertebrae.

FSWO’S GOAL IS TO EDUCATE, ENCOURAGE AND EMPOWER WOMEN IN THE FIRE SERVICE.

During her recovery time, Carissa was away in Maine and met a firefighter who was a member of Fire Service Women of New York State. She told Carissa about a women’s firefighter weekend in Montour Falls that offered hands-on training. After getting approval from her Chief, Carissa attended the training weekend to help her gain back some confidence in her firefighting skills while networking with other women firefighters from across the state. Carissa saw the usefulness of women learning from each other, especially as women were (and still are) often isolated from each other in a profession still mostly staffed by men. She also learned of a firefighting camp for young women called Phoenix Fire Camp, and encouraged other Ottawa firefighters to attend as instructors. This was the driving force to create a similar camp in Ottawa, now ten years strong, called Camp FFIT (Female Firefighters in Training). FSWO was created to manage this camp, but quickly became a more wide-reaching organization to serve the whole province as a network of support.

FSWO held its first education event in October 2011 in Ottawa and formed its first full board of directors, and began holding a yearly event to bring the network together to share skills and learn from the best. Fast forward to the present and we are organizing our next training symposium in Ottawa on October 18-20, 2019. All this came from a near

tragedy from one of our founding members, Carissa CampbellDarmody, who is now a mother of two and working C shift with Ottawa Fire as a Hazmat Technician. Although no one would wish for any firefighter to go through what Carissa has, especially so early in her career, the legacy from that incident has continued to help so many women in the Ontario fire service. The results of the investigation of that fire fundamentally changed how Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) functions today. The Forward Avenue Fire Report has propelled OFS to the forefront of science-based firefighting with the creation and implementation of “From Knowledge to Practice,” a training curriculum and guide available free of charge for any fire department. FSWO will be offering a one-day hands-on course on this program at our training symposium, providing participants an opportunity to learn more about the course and bring the information back to their own home departments.

The years have been good to us! Over the past decade, we have supported the development of Camp FFIT in departments big and small. Please read our article in this issue on the best practices we’ve learned in hosting these firefighter development camps for young women. Encouraging youth in our community to care about our fellow citizens and learn life-saving skills has been one of our greatest projects.

Barriers exist not only in motivating a new generation of women to consider firefighting but also in the hiring, retention and promotion of women once they begin serving as firefighters. Seeking to better understand the barriers in the full career spectrum of women in fire, FSWO sought and was rewarded full research funding from Status of Women Canada in 2018. We have been interviewing women working on apparatus floors all the way up to the chiefs of many departments to ultimately create a toolkit and best practice model for fire departments to boost their inclusion and diversity commitments.

We know this research is needed. In March 2019 FEMA produced the report Emerging Health and Safety Issues Among Women in the Fire Service, a round-up of research in the US and Canada.

Overwhelmingly the report notes that insufficient data exists on gender-specific health and safety concerns, and women are often excluded from studies because of small research sample sizes. We must increase the presence of women as subjects in our fire service research. Please contact us if you’d like to be a part of this groundbreaking research.

We hope you will benefit from the information we share in these pages. Please consider adding to the FSWO momentum by becoming a member at www.fswo.ca, and attending our annual training symposium. This year’s event promises to be the best yet. We are featuring a keynote address by London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton (see interview in this issue), as well as hands-on training in fire dynamics, forcible entry, chainsaw work, search and rescue, imposter syndrome (see article in this issue) as well as fire investigations. All registration details are available at www.fswo.ca.

AN INTERVIEW WITH LONDON FIRE BRIGADE’S COMMISSIONER DANY COTTON

On the morning of December 12, 1988, London Fire Brigade’s Commissioner Dany Cotton, was 19 years old and three months into her career as a firefighter. That was also the morning two commuter trains collided at Clapham Junction, killing 35 people.

Commissioner Cotton, then one of only 30 female firefighters in England’s capitol city, responded with her crew to do what firefighters do all over the world. Help make things better.

In her over 30-year career with the service, Commissioner Cotton has seen not only technology change, but also the role of firefighters and the face of firefighting itself change. She has worked tirelessly throughout her career to diversify the fire service using whatever position she was in to promote that mandate. In her role as Commissioner she is unapologetic in demanding change, from simple things such as language (i.e. firefighter vs. fireman), to promoting women’s leadership in the service, and the importance of taking care of your mental health.

As the Keynote speaker at Fire Service Women Ontario’s 2019 Symposium, Dany Cotton will be speaking about Women’s leadership roles in the fire service and leadership in times of crisis.

Commissioner Cotton took some time out to answer some questions relating to her career over the last 30 years as she looks towards retirement.

You attended the Clapham Junction rail crash 3 months into your career. Can you think back to early on in your career and describe how you felt going to your first big event?

When we were dispatched from the Wimbledon station to the Clapham Junction rail crash, there was excitement in the truck. There was an excitement to get there, we knew this was going to be a big event. But when we arrived and could see the trains from the bridge above the tracks, we began to understand that this was real. We saw the chaos of the crash.

Going down the steep embankment I was anxious not to make a mistake. But I started to realize as a firefighter, wearing the uniform, people assumed you know what you are doing and you are going to make things better.

Initially we were tasked with helping injured passengers get off the train and to waiting ambulances. The first person I helped was a man with a broken ankle. I had to get him up that steep embankment I just came down. It was then that I realized this is real life, this is not training, when everything is flat and orchestrated.

After all the injured passengers were removed, we had to start removing the casualties. This is when I asked myself “what if I can’t do this, am I ready for this?” I was fortunate enough to be paired with a nice medic that worked with me under the train to remove the first person, who looked as though they had just fallen asleep.

I realized that day that wearing the uniform gives you a type of protection, you feel you can do more than you thought when you wear the uniform.

Were you the only woman working on that scene?

While I don’t know if I was the only woman at Clapham Junction, I cannot remember seeing any others. It was 1988 and I was 1 of 9000 firefighters at a time when women were told not to talk to other women on the job. This created a lot of hostility and suspicion regarding if we could do the job or not. At Clapham I didn’t cry or run away, which helped me gain some respect.

Can you tell me about winning the Queen’s Fire Service Medal in 2004, how and by whom were you nominated?

Recipients of the award are nominated anonymously and to this day I do not know who nominated me. It was most likely a Senior Member or Chief Officer. Winning the award is a national process, where the committee reviews the nominees and gathers more information before deciding. I was nominated for my work in increasing the diversity of the London Fire Brigade.

At what point did your career begin to diverge from your peers? Why do you believe that was?

From my training squad, none of the guys had gone for promotion when I moved to the position of Station Officer. I even waited longer than I could have. Normally people decide to promote at 4 years, I waited until I had 7 years.

It was never my intention to become Commissioner. I didn’t even want to become a Senior or Principle Officer, my advancement sort of happened by circumstance. I would see people applying for promotions and think I don’t want to work for that person so I would apply.

When you applied to be Commissioner, what was the vision you presented to the panel that you wanted the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to move toward?

I saw the London Fire Brigade as a place to work on culture. I wanted to see the LFB become a more people focused organization with less target

management. Training needed to become more about people being more responsible and more accountable for the changes they wanted to see.

How did being a firefighter best prepare you for being in a leadership role in the fire service? What did it NOT provide you that you had to develop yourself?

Being a firefighter did not prepare me for a leadership role, it was being a woman firefighter that did more so. Because I was a woman I was treated differently, so are managers and officers. Having the experience of being the outsider made me realize that being the outsider in an officer’s position wasn’t going to be easy. A lot of men are anxious about stepping away from the boys’ club. As a woman I was not really in it so I was okay with making the transition.

Being a woman in the fire service teaches personal resilience and if you can put up with those challenges you are halfway to being a leader.

How have you built your internal capacity to cope with pressure/stress as a leader?

From early on I was involved in women’s fire network’s including the Fire Brigade Union and the Women in Fire Service. This provided me with a support group in and outside of the London Fire Brigade. I always had other women to have a conversation with, or just debrief with.

How did you maintain your open and trusting leadership under intense scrutiny after the tragedy at Grenfell Tower?

Even after six hours of interrogation my main was goal was to protect my firefighters. The fact of the matter is, we were not going to solve the problem, the way the fire moved people were not going to get out. Firefighters on scene put their lives on the line over and over again to save people, and it is not fair for arm chair firefighters to say they could do better.

In my career I have never seen or experienced the fear and responsibility that I saw in those firefighters’ faces. They came to work to do their job, and they are being criticized for it.

No one should need to suffer the way the Grenfell community has. The personal impact on so many people is indescribable.

I was most frustrated about not being able to talk about the pride I have in my firefighters.

What were the best strategies developed to protect and bolster the mental health of the London Fire Brigade after Grenfell?

When I walked around the fire ground at 10 a.m. that morning, I witnessed firefighters breaking down into tears. I realized that this event would impact these people for the rest of their lives. I spoke with the mayor as soon as I could and had all the firefighters

on scene debriefed with counsellor before they went home that day.

I increased counselling for the service, and accepted help from other fire services to assist. We have done interventions since that time and approximately 1000 staff have had counselling intervention since Grenfell. Previous management had cut back on counselling services. I have since increased it.

I REALIZED THAT DAY THAT WEARING THE UNIFORM GIVES YOU A TYPE OF PROTECTION, YOU FEEL YOU CAN DO MORE THAN YOU THOUGHT WHEN YOU WEAR THE UNIFORM.

What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in your career in the fire service?

The role of a firefighter is the biggest change. From increased prevention and protection services, education and safe guarding of vulnerable people to using technology such as iPads to safely do auto extrication on modern vehicles.

Of course, the uniform has changed, when I started it was a woolen tunic and plastic leggings with a cork helmet.

The culture is changing. We now have 7%-8% female firefighters.

What are the biggest challenges you see ahead for the fire service as you plan your retirement?

The findings of the internal LFB investigation and Phase 1 of the public investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire will have an impact on the fire service.

We also have to continue to evolve, making things safer in homes. We have to keep building our business and challenging ourselves by getting more involved in the community. We have to keep ourselves relevant.

What challenges do you see for women in fire leadership positions?

7-8

PER CENT

FEMALE FIREFIGHTERS IN THE WORKFORCE

The same issues a lot of organizations have with women in charge; some people have a problem with it. It is really important that we support and promote other women, it is our responsibility.

Women lead differently. Never try to lead like a man because we are not men. We need to keep breaking down barriers.

Mental health still needs to be discussed openly, making it okay and easier to ask for help.

Being a woman in a fire service leadership role is very isolating, so having a network of women is very important.

What challenges do you see for women in city/ municipal leadership positions?

I report directly to the mayor and city hall, so it is important to understand the political context of the topics that impact the fire service. Do not be naïve in understanding politics — educate yourself. Plan communications carefully, no conversation is ever just a conversation. Know the best way to capitalize on a conversation and balance meetings; be prepared, do your research, and understand what you say and how you are going to say it.

DEALING WITH IMPOSTER SYNDROME

By Sheri Fisher

Maya Angelou and Sigmund Freud. What comes to mind when you think of those individuals? Likely at some point, the thought of their accomplishments and successes crossed your mind. But would it surprise you to know that despite the fact that these two very successful people have resumes that are not only filled with personal and professional accomplishments, but also the education, research and accolades to back up their achievements, they both experienced feelings of being a fraud within their respective professions and “less than” to that of their colleagues? In fact, Maya Angelou was known to describe feelings that she hadn’t really earned her accomplishments and quoted as saying, “I run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.” In similar fashion, Freud described himself as an “involuntary swindler”, stating that his work did not deserve as much attention as it received. So how do these two highly regarded individuals still have these described feelings after all they’ve achieved? The truth is, both Maya and Freud are not alone. Imposter Syndrome, as these feelings of inadequacy can be identified as, is something that a large percentage of individuals are impacted by.

So, what is Imposter Syndrome (IS)? This term can be defined as, “the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills.” To put it more simply, it is the feeling that at any moment you are going to be found out as a fraud; that you have only succeeded because of luck, not because of your qualifications. Originally identified in the late 1970s by psychologists, this syndrome was initially thought to primarily impact

DENISE ROY is the Vice President at The Cooper Group and has her Bachelor of Arts from University of Waterloo and is currently working on the Master of Human Resources Management program through York University. As a subject that Denise found herself relating to, she has made the topic of Imposter Syndrome a focal point of her research. Denise will be attending the 2019 FSWO Training Symposium as the speaker for, Fake It Until You Make It: Crushing Imposter Syndrome In Its Tracks.

women. However, through more research, Imposter Syndrome was found to be far more universal and far reaching, impacting both men and women across different ethnicities, age groups and backgrounds. Interestingly, research completed in 2011 suggests that roughly 70% of people will experience feelings of IS at some point in their life, however this syndrome may be most prevalent amongst high achieving women. Denise Roy, Vice President of Human Resources at Cooper Group and researcher into the effects of Imposter Syndrome, believes that, “any field where there is a hierarchical presence, such as in the fire service, Imposter Syndrome could be present.” What this could translate to is as a result of feeling inadequate, unqualified, and essentially an “imposter” waiting to be exposed. This may in turn cause individuals to avoid pursuing the forward movement through the ranks due to false beliefs that they are incapable of doing the job. What’s more interesting is that researchers have found that there are indications that certain personality traits or life circumstances may be contributors in one’s development of IS. Such things as a person’s predisposition to anxiety, societal gender norm stereotypes (which may partially explain why higher percentages of IS is seen in women), and early family dynamics may all be contributing factors to Imposter Syndrome.

Now that we know what Imposter Syndrome is, how do you know if you are one of those people? While there is still a lot of research that needs to be done to fully understand this syndrome and its potential impact, studies have shown that such traits as discounting your work, overworking, and the need to strive for perfectionism may be symptoms of Imposter Syndrome. In fact, Denise Roy identifies 5 types of Imposter Syndrome (IS) that individuals may fall into.

• The Perfectionist: Denise identifies these individuals as someone who “sets unattainable goals for themselves, and when they are unable to achieve that goal, they experience major self doubt.”

• The Superhero: These are individuals who are convinced that they are “frauds” when they are surrounded by their “real-deal” colleagues. Indicators that you might fit into this category include overworking, pushing yourself to the limits, and forfeiting needed downtime.

• The Natural Genius: Individuals in this category measure their own competence based on ease and speed. Denise explains, “when people in this category are unable to master a skill quickly and with ease, this brings forth feelings of failure and shame.”

• The Individualist: People in this category are people who will avoid asking for help as they believe doing so is a sign of weakness and would expose them as a fraud.

• The Expert: These are individuals who may overcompensate with going above and beyond to seek out additional training, education and knowledge out of fear of being exposed as inexperienced or unknowledgeable.

What’s important to note is that it is not uncommon for us to see ourselves fitting in to more than one category of Imposter Syndrome. These described categories are not finite, and one does not need to fit entirely into one category to still identify with and be impacted by IS. What’s more, Denise explains that, “you could have the symptoms of Imposter Syndrome and not fit in to any of these five categories or have any of the described personality traits or life experiences.”

If you’ve read this far and have found yourself identifying with some or maybe even all that’s been discussed, you’re probably wondering what to do to overcome Imposter Syndrome. The key is in re-adjusting your thinking and self-limiting beliefs, and the good news is there is more than one way to accomplish that. These are some of the tactics that Denise has identified as steps to combating Imposter Syndrome.

Accept responsibility: This involves a pragmatic realization that you are responsible for getting yourself to where you currently are. It’s taking stock and ownership, and Denise explains, “it is that realization that ‘I am good enough’. The realization of your own skills and experiences that you bring to the table is extraordinarily critical to working through Imposter Syndrome.”

Never underestimate yourself: As we discussed in the first tactic, you are where you are as a direct result of your work and accomplishments. We often have the tendency to downplay our successes and achievements. The truth is, you’ve earned that right to humbly put yourself up on a that pedestal, and the odds are if you are suffering from IS, you’re not up there without qualification.

Just because you don’t know everything, doesn’t mean that you know nothing: Don’t wait for perfection or until you feel as though you know everything because the reality is, that day will never come. What you know is enough, and as long as you stay within your lane of knowledge, what you have to share will be of value.

Everyone fails occasionally: This applies primarily to the Perfectionist. Denise explains, “it’s important as we’re retraining our thought processes when it comes to IS, to realize that it’s not an ‘if you fail’, but a ‘when you fail’, and that failure is a direct result of trying.” We will all fail at some point in our lives and doing so is not an indication of our worth, qualifications and value.

Plan to fail: Although this may sound odd, Denise explains that, “we need to accept failure at some point as inevitable. If we can’t avoid it, we can at least plan for how we will react to it.” This means developing a plan of what your next steps/reaction will be in the event of failing (i.e.try again, try something different, etc.). Planning for the possibility of failure can help make the idea of it less scary and easier to overcome.

Fellowship: It is important to realize that you are not alone. As we discussed earlier, approximately 70% of people will experience symptoms of IS at some point, so there is a good chance that you already have someone in your circle that can relate to what you may be experiencing. Most of us take comfort in knowing others have or are going through something similar, and finding that connection with even one person that you trust and can share with whether that be a co-worker, friend, mentor, therapist, etc., can be one of the best therapeutic approaches to overcoming IS.

You are ready now: Admittedly, this can be the toughest step, but Denise suggests to “make the leap. Odds are, you’re going to make it. At some point, the best way to overcome Imposter Syndrome is to jump.” Denise acknowledges that while this may not be the first step you take while working through IS, the truth is that someone dealing with Imposter Syndrome will easily convince themselves that they are still not qualified and ready. The end result is a vicious circle of always waiting for the illusionary “perfect time”.

At some point, most people will experience moments of self-doubt. These are normal feelings to experience, but the key is to not let it control your actions and hold yourself back from moving forward and going after that goal. There’s a good chance that if you have worked hard, and have achieved your success, whether that be professional, personal or otherwise, that you have earned the right to be there. You are not an imposter. Remember to take stock of your life and your accomplishments, work to acknowledge those feelings of self-doubt and inadequacies as you continue to work through them.

IMPOSTER SYNDROME CAN BE DEFINED AS, “THE PERSISTENT INABILITY TO BELIEVE THAT ONE’S SUCCESS IS DESERVED OR HAS BEEN LEGITIMATELY ACHIEVED AS A RESULT OF ONE’S OWN EFFORTS OR SKILLS.”

Between alarms

By Arjuna George

George is chief of Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue in B.C. He has served on the department since 1997. Contact Arjuna at ageorge@ saltspringfire.com

Unmanaged stress can be paralyzing

Over the past year, I have been on a bit of a self-health journey with a concentration on my resiliency and stress management. This open and transparent column is meant to provide you with some comfort knowing that we all have stress in our lives and it is compounded in the fire service. No one reading this will say to themselves “I don’t have stress”. We all have stress whether it be at work, at home, in life, or especially at an emergency event. If you don’t recognize it or feel it, you simply have not met your limit yet. Stress plays a key role in our daily lives and can push us to excel and be our best selves. Stress gives us the strength to persevere through challenging times and

be alert and ready for action. However, unmanaged or unrecognized stress can be paralyzing. When you are under stress, the hormone cortisol shoots through your body and gives your muscles the added horsepower they need to flee the threat or attack the fire. If you are without tactics and strategies to release the cortisol, your system is on constant overdrive and headed for health and performance issues. Finding methods to release and reduce bad chronic stress is paramount to a happy healthy life. Our “always on” life with the constant notifications, instant communications, and extreme pressure we place on ourselves provides anything but a calm state. As much as we can appreciate the postives of technology, we must also recognize the negative impact it can have on our health.

GET READY TO TAKE THE LEAD IN EMERGENCY SERVICES

Learn the skills and earn the credential you need to advance your emergency services career by taking our applied business: emergency services degree program.

You can continue working while taking this online program.

You’ll study topics such as:

• Accounting principles

• Capital budgeting

• Crisis communications

The next cohort

As I write this, it falls on the one-year anniversary of my awakening. I realized that the speed I was travelling and the pressure I put on myself was not sustainable. I have spent the last year refocusing on me and finding methods and systems to be more resilient to stress. I have dedicated the past year to better self-care of the mind and body.

Some self-improvements I have found great results in have been having a well hydrated body, how important good quality sleep is for proper recharging, the value of breathing and mindfulness, striving for a healthier nutritious lifestyle with less sugar and processed foods, how critical guilt free away-time is for me and my family and how time management is key to stress reduction. One of the greatest strategies I have

Arjuna

incorporated into my life has been monthly away time with my wife or family. Every month, with no excuses, we escape our busy lives to refuel the tank. This new ritual has reduced stress and provides something to look forward to every month. I highly recommend you give this a try. Being resilient to stress will allow you to be more present at home and at work. Taking time to recharge allows you to come back with vigor.

Stress is one of the biggest contributing factors to an unhealthy body and mind. Stress can weaken the immune system and cause high blood pressure, fatigue, depression, anxiety and even heart disease. Think of your brain like a bank, where we take daily withdrawals in the form of life stresses — break-ups, job changes, traumatic events, health issues, etc. Without regular deposits of self-care, sleeping, meditation, nutrition and

relaxation in your healthy mind bank, you will be withdrawing more then you deposit. The goal should to be to never withdraw more then you deposit.

I am often asked how I get so much done, the volume of work and the variety often interests people, but it comes with a cost. The cost is stress overload.

A new strategy I am undertaking to improve my time management is to do less. Sounds shocking but it is working. I have begun to block periods of time in my calendar to think, review and plan. I also have adjusted my calendar time slots to reduce the meeting to meeting hamster wheel. The continuous circuit of meetings gives you no time to collect your thoughts or act on the results from the last meeting. This simple tweak to my workflow has lowered my daily stress substantiality. I used to work all day and all night. My volume of work was impressive but once

again not sustainable. I have an office open-door mindset, but I have also learned that the office door is sometimes best closed. This is not to avoid issues or my people but to take a moment to breathe and refocus on a task. I have read that for every interruption at work it can take another 25 minutes to regain focus.

The journey is still a work in progress, but I feel like I have the freedom to be a better me, to give more, to think more, and to excel even more. This past year has been a gift that I want to share and continue to unravel.

The theme “Between alarms” has a whole new meaning to me where the times between alarms is to tune yourself up, take care of your body and mind, refocus, relax and even turn off. You will find that when the alarm does sound, you will be responding as your best self. Now go and make a healthy mind bank deposit.

Sean Waldie is a manual osteopath and movement specialist at Fusion Personal Health Studio in Toronto. He can be reached at sean@kempwaldie.com. Micheal Okumura is the owner of Fusion Personal Health Studio. Reach him at mo@fusionhealthstudio.com.

Keeping at-the-ready

ELDOA exercises can help maintain your body’s optimal range of motion.

By Sean Waldie and Micheal Okumura

In the fire service, keeping equipment in its ready state is a must. It is important to check and re-check gear to ensure it’s able to meet the demands of the job when it’s go-time.

The nature of the work and the demands of the job, whether it be from physical training or actual on-duty work, can cause a variety of wear and tear related issues to the body that can compromise physical readiness for action.

There were some interesting research statistics in a 2017 study titled Firefighter Injuries Relative to Fire Response Characteristics and published by the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia and Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. The study used the National Fire Information Database (NFID) and examined 2,025 professional firefighters who sustained an injury and reported it to the NFID. Here are some of the highlights.

• The most frequently reported injury type was injury to muscle, ligaments, and joints (45 per cent) with injury location being the head, neck or spine (11 per cent).

• The 2,025 injured firefighters had an average of 14 years of service experience. The majority were middle aged (31-45 years) and older (46 years) males with a body mass index of 27.3 kg/m2.

• More than 80 per cent of injuries reported were categorized as minor (injuries requiring less than one day off work and/or in hospital). Less

than 20 per cent were categorized as serious (injuries requiring 16 or more days off work and/or hospitalization for three or more days).

Obviously, it’s easy to know when we’ve sustained a more serious injury, but speaking from professional experiences as a manual osteopath and rehabilitation exercise trainer, it’s often a culmination of a number of aches,

pains and strains that are the breeding ground for more significant issues.

HOW DOES AN INDIVIDUAL KNOW IF HE OR SHE HAS A LIGAMENT ISSUE?

If you find that you have either sharp pain or dull aching pain when you’re at rest but the pain dissipates after you exercise or when your body is active, that suggests it is ligament-related. Just

Here is an example of a stretch to reduce back pain.

When you do your ELDOA exercise, you are creating space not just at the bone and joint but also at the muscle. It is this change in the structure of the muscle that helps to maintain the improved function of the target area.

because it is not present when active, doesn’t mean it is getting better or gone away. The physical activity has simply created a temporary support due to the muscles being engaged. That is why when you return to the resting state that ache or sharp pain returns.

Although those somewhat mundane pains such as radiating in the hips or the intense stiffness in the back can, at times, simply be ignored, that can only go on for so long. What may be subtly occurring in the body is that muscle has become trapped in a shortened position that, while somewhat functional, is painful and irritated. It means you start moving a little slower and awkwardly, maybe not enough to notice immediately, but the body has begun a complex process of learning to live with less-then-optimal range of motion and flexibility.

HOW DO YOU REMEDY WEAR AND TEAR RELATED INJURIES?

The ELDOA method, which is a French acronym that when translated into English means LOADS or longitudinal osteoarticular decoaptation stretching, is a series of decompression stretches. There are hundreds of specific ELDOAs a person can learn for individual joints, specific muscles or groups of muscles. Many professional athletes and sports teams have started to incorporate the practice of ELDOA to help with recovery, performance and injury prevention.

The reason ELDOA is being used by other peak performers is that the exercises are precise at increasing space in the body. It’s with millimetres that great miles are achieved.

If we have healthy ranges of movement, our body can move without restriction, hesitation or complaint. When these

millimetres of movement decrease, we begin to lose large degrees of movement and then pain and discomfort can show its signs.

People often embrace ELDOA for its ability to diminish pain that spikes during activities, pain or discomfort after specific positions (sitting or standing for long periods) and pain while they are at rest.

In addition to restoring optimal ranges of motions, ELDOA has another important goal: to re-condition connective tissue (fascia) to be elastic. It is our connective tissue that creates the casing around muscles, giving them the room to move freely.

When you do your ELDOA exercise, you are creating space not just at the bone and joint but also at the muscle. It is this change in the structure of the muscle that helps to maintain the improved function of the target area.

Over the last several months, our studio has extended a free trial of ELDOA to the members of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association. Upon feedback from these members, our team has prepared an instructional manual of several positions that we feel are the best positions to begin your practice with. You can receive this free document by simply emailing either sean@ kempwaldie.com or the front desk of Fusion Health Studio at marcemokumura@gmail.com.

Dispatches

By Jennifer Grigg

Jennifer Grigg has been a dispatcher, volunteer firefighter, FPO inspector and instructor. She is now a resilience and empowerment coach and certified body language trainer. Contact Jennifer at jennygrigg312@gmail.com or jennifergriggcoaching.com.

Honouring and triggering

In June my husband and I drove to British Columbia from our home in Ontario. I was speaking at the BC Association of Fire Chaplains (BCAFC) conference and we decided to make it a working vacation. We’ve done the trip to Alberta with our two teenaged daughters, our two Labs, and my elderly mom a couple of times to visit family so we knew we’d thoroughly enjoy the road trip.

On the way up Hwy. 69, about an hour from home, we passed a steel silhouette of a boy playing the drums, a memorial for a life gone too soon. The image made me wonder, what does it do to the firefighters, police officers and paramedics that responded to that call who regularly drive by?

When I drive northbound or southbound on Hwy. 400 where I live (from Port Severn to Mactier), I’m reminded of the calls that I’ve responded to in my two decades as a volunteer with Georgian Bay Township and especially the ones that have a monument. On occasion I’m able to pass these places without memories surfacing say, if I’m lost in thought or in a song on the radio. Other times I’m not so lucky.

The spot with the cross and the name on it, for example, I never forget. Each detail of that transport fire that claimed the life of a fella I never met named Danny are etched into my mind so vividly I can faintly hear the fire crackling as I type this. I know I’m not the only one.

The firefighter I was with has a similar haunting reaction to

that same spot. (Rest assured I’ll give her the heads up about this column so as to avoid triggering any further trauma.)

Mitigating post-traumatic stress is everyone’s job and it doesn’t stop after you’ve left the fire department, the call or the fire hall. That was my first fire fatality (vehicle or otherwise)

health and safety issue because we’re all aware of the wide range of side effects that these calls can cause. But how do you mitigate it?

My husband was reading an interesting article in the Toronto Star — “PTSD concerns take centre stage after firefighters’ refusal to clean up

On occasion I’m able to pass these places without memories surfacing say, if I’m lost in thought or in a song on the radio. Other times I’m not so lucky.

and it will never go away. It doesn’t traumatize me to think about it, but it will most definitely always be there, lingering in the back of my brain ready to float forward each time I pass that place on the northbound side of the highway.

As my husband and I drove, we saw many locations that are now etched upon the minds of loved ones and emergency services personnel. It got us thinking about the effect these memorials have on first responders. My husband has been in the fire service a few years longer than I and has witnessed more than his share of the unthinkable.

It’s become common practice for family members and friends to mark the place where a tragedy changed their lives forever and for them it’s what they need to do to honour those they’ve lost. For us though, it’s repeated exposure to trauma. It really is a

traumatic scene led to more Hwy. 400 chaos — dated July 17 and written by Jeremy Grimaldi. The journalist wrote, “According to a source who used to work for York Region police, Vaughan Fire refused to attend the scene when called at 4:35 p.m. for a “washdown” — a first-responder term for removing blood, vehicle fluids and other remnants from the roadway.”

The article further noted that Vaughan Fire Chief Deryn Rizzi said “the department denied this was the case, explaining the service chose not to attend for multiple reasons, although she said the “safety of our citizens and emergency workers” plays a role in each decision. “We understand the pressures of getting the highway open as soon as possible,” she said, “but it needs to be tempered with humanizing and ethical deci-

sion-making processes.”

I applaud her efforts and wonder how many other fire departments can and will take similar action.

The job of a firefighter is to save lives and at times they will face unimaginable circumstances. There will be exposure to extreme situations and that can’t be changed, but fire departments have teams and processes in place to help navigate the harmful after effects when this happens. I hope that ALL fire departments in Ontario have some sort of peer support team in place, or at the very least use their local CISM team or other resources when needed.

What can possibly be done about the long-standing reminders — the crosses, the statues, the plaques and the flowers on the roadside — that not only serve as dedications to loved ones but as devastating triggers to those that tried to help but weren’t able to.

Our trip across the western provinces of Canada was a beautiful journey, and the same can be said for the majority of our time in the fire service. However, for all of us in emergency services there will always be those places along the highway, those moments frozen in time, that will flash back into our minds and cause us to pause and reflect. In some cases, the memories are now just memories. They are definitely unpleasant and something we’d rather not have seen if given the choice but they no longer rattle us to the core like they used to.

But for some, they still do.

WORKING TOGETHER WORKS BETTER

Using built-in vehicle sensors, Automatic Crash Response1 can connect to an OnStar Emergency Certified Advisor2 who can provide information to first responders to assist an OnStar member if they’ve been involved in an accident. Advisors can help to identify the location, provide certain medical assistance and advise of the likelihood of serious injuries, using Injury Severity Prediction, until first responder help arrives.

LEARN MORE AT: onstar.ca