THE “CHANGEOVER” EDITION VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 3
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TORONTO PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION
Publications Agreement No: 41203011
GETTING A MORTGAGE ISN’T AS COMPLICATED AS YOU THINK.
It's the right time for our easy to understand advice. Talk to an Alterna advisor today.
(Formerly CitySavings)
6002 Yonge St. Toronto
alterna.ca
416-225-7716
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TORONTO PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION
VOLUME 15
|
ISSUE 3
IN THIS ISSUE 12
18
5
President’s Message
7
Secretary-Treasurer’s Message
9
Vice President’s Message
11
Chaplain’s Corner
12 Hazmat IQ - Ammonia (NH3) Responses
23
20
30
FIRE WATCH (ISSN 1715-5134) is published by the TORONTO PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION 14 Cosentino Drive, Toronto ON M1P 3A2 Tel: 416.466.1167 www.torontofirefighters.org E-mail: firewatch@torontofirefighters.org CHIEF EDITOR Kevin McCarthy
16
ONS
Toolkit for HR Investigations
18 How to get Fully Involved! Red Knights Motorcycle Club 20
Member Profile – Kyle Croxall
23
Behind the Mask – Mental Health Resources
26
Let’s Talk: Therapies
29 Retired Toronto Fire Fighters’ Association 30
Never Shall We Forget
32
Fit to Survive – Group Circuit Training Program Design
34
Thank You TPFFA
MANAGING EDITORS James Reed, Ken De Jong Tel.: 416.466.1167 Fax: 416.466.6632 E-mail: firewatch@torontofirefighters.org ASSISTANT EDITORS William Morris, James Kennedy, Mykhail Baehr, James Coones DESIGN AND ART DIRECTION Bryan Middleton FIRE WATCH PHOTOGRAPHER Mykhail Baehr & TPFFA Media Team CANADIAN PUBLICATIONS MAIL Agreement No: 41203011 PRINTED IN CANADA Copyright © 2021 Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association ADVERTISING Please contact Bill Monson at 416.466.9180 ext. 322 or e-mail monson@torontofirefighters.org Merchant Card Acceptance
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, or otherwise without prior written permission from the publisher. FIRE WATCH is an official communication tool of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association. The Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (TPFFA) does not assume responsibility for statements of fact or opinion made by any contributor. Comments made by individuals may not reflect the official position of the TPFFA. Acceptance and publication of articles, advertisements, products and services does not indicate endorsement of same by the TPFFA, and the TPFFA assumes no responsibility for their accuracy.
On The Cover According to ancient legend, the phoenix is a bird that often serves as a symbol of renewal and rebirth. With two new principal officers at the helm, this Association is charting new territory using the experience and solidarity of the past.
THE “CH AN GEO VER
” EDI TIO N
VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 3
THE OFFICIAL
PUBLICATION OF THE
TORONTO PROFESSIO NAL FIRE FIGH TERS’ ASSO CIATION
Graphics by: Sydney de Jong
Publications Agreeme
nt No: 4120301
Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH
1
3
MT_DebtConcolidation_PROD.pdf
1
2021-08-19
6:05 PM
GET ON TRACK C
M
Y
CM
MY
Why you should consider a consolidation loan
CY
CMY
K
TM
ROBERT POSA
Fire Fighter, Mortgage Broker License #M08005247 robert.posa@mortgagetrain.com
1
Secure a reduced interest rate on your debt load.
2
Improve your cash flow.
3
Simplify your monthly payments to one single payment.
4
Consolidate debts and save money.
CALL TODAY! 416.931.7672
Corporate Office (Your Mortgage Professionals) #12756 Some conditions may apply O.A.C.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE One fire at a time…
I
t was the second of back-to-back meetings, and the atmosphere was tense and downright angry. Last night ended with a fistfight in the parking lot. Before January 1998, the Toronto Firefighters Associations consisted of six individual Locals, all with separate contracts, wages, and benefits. Amalgamation forced this group together, but it would be many years before they would become a unified membership. The struggles were frequent and often involved passionate beliefs. The newly formed Executive Board of 24 were challenged daily to find common ground within their ranks, divided by geographical and fundamental differences. Each member holding strong convictions that their former City or Local did it better. The key issues focused on promotional systems, vacation/lieu day selection and shift schedule. Videos were produced by the former Local leaders, educating the membership, and selling them on why their system was better. Additionally, a decision rendered by the Labour Board took Platoon Chiefs out of the Union, creating more hatred and an imbalance of power at the management level. Firefighters in every division reported to work, earning different amounts of money, doing the same job at the same calls or workplaces. We were never more divided. Several years of negotiations and eventually arbitration, known as “the Teplitski years,” would provide the foundation of today’s collective agreement framework. Jimmy raised his voice, and the crowd found their seats. It was time to roll up our sleeves. “One fire at a time”... President Lee
Rain fell hard on the assembly of Police, Fire and EMS gathering to march down the narrow streets of New York. A fitting backdrop, considering the day’s events were to honour the lost souls of 9/11. Emergency workers travelled from all parts of North America to offer support to their sisters and brothers. Fittingly, the TPFFA was well represented. Three hundred and fifty of our members journeyed by bus to the Big Apple to pay their respects.
Months of labour disputes over a collective agreement, held up by an arbitrator, and threats of job action, created tension in the ranks of Toronto Firefighters. In addition, the mid-term departure of TPFFA’s first President to the IAFF, added fuel to the already burning fires. Two opposing leaders stood on either side of a flank, assuming the lead of six. TPFFA President and the “want to be” Fire Chief, neither willing to step back as the sergeant at arms barked, “form up in groups of five across.” The streets were narrow, and the requests of a line of five firefighters would be a tight squeeze, but a formation of six would be impossible. As the march began, it was inevitable that one side would have to give in and drop back. But, as the procession rounded the corner, both leaders held firm, forcing the middle to break, and the sea of firefighters fell like dominos one by one to the end of the line. At the end of the day, both men claimed victory. Before his term ended, Greg would push and receive the long-awaited arbitration award, and the Chief never got his stripes. “One fire at a time”... President Colton
The newly appointed Fire Chief stood before the Toronto City Council prepared to present his semi-annual report to the Chief Administrative Officer. “The quest for respect,” a union initiative, influenced the Council’s decision on the Fire Chief’s appointment. Twice a year, the Fire Chief was required to report on the state of labour relations, including a report from the President of TPFFA, to provide the Union’s perspective. Local 3888 was about to begin a new chapter, full of concrete political action and finding common ground. A log jam of grievances was the first barrier that stood in the way of progress. Building trust, working through the differences, and finding the solutions both sides could live with, was how it would get done. It started with meetings, followed by breakout sessions. Still, in the end, a retreat initiated by an independent consultant to a literal “compound” up north, forced the two sides to listen. The “KUMBAYA” weekend was often joked
about but contributed to bridging the gap between management and labour. Scott universalized the 24-hour shift and 3-6-9, bringing respect back to labour relations. “One fire at a time”... President Marks
Many tears fell that day. Few people can lead and command respect, while at the same time, treating everyone with dignity. Either side of the laneway outside of the funeral home was lined with women and men in uniform. Inside, the limited few paid their respects, following the directives set out by the Covid-19 protocols. Unfortunately, this added stress to the family, friends and colleagues grieving that day. Then, the third tier of firefighters stretched across the busy Scarborough street beyond the gates, providing the much-deserved final send-off. Unfortunately, it happened too fast to someone too young, who gave so much to the membership. The mayor at the time was pushing a “no more gravy” campaign, threatening to strip all services in the City of Toronto to unbearable levels. The TPFFA, always ready for a fight when the health and safety of their members were on the line, responded with an uppercut called the “fightback campaign.” The next six months consisted of ten full rounds of shots back and forth: including radio ads and television spots, graphically displaying the impact of delayed responses to emergencies. The climax, a sea of red, consisting of hundreds of Firefighters in t-shirts filling the chambers of City Hall. That day, Local 3888 took some losses, but it would have been worse if we did not defend what we had already worked so hard to achieve. Before his term was over, Eddy started the TPFFA down a path to purchase the new union office, led us through a complex arbitration, securing post-65 benefits and fortified relationships with the IAFF and the OPFFA. Continued on page 6 Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH
5
President’s Message..Continued from page 5
“One fire at a time”... President longest-standing Principal Officer who served the membership for eighteen and a Kennedy
Another late night at the Sheridan with the bargaining team in beautiful downtown Toronto was in full swing. Tempers were hot, and considering the series of late nights and the high-stakes games, the tension was about to peak. The man in charge thrived in situations like these, holding all his cards until the last moment. It was time to “put up or shut up”, and he needed to convince the 12 angry men before him that this was worth putting their name to it. Still in their clothes from the night before, no one was in any mood to play games. Agreements littered every inch of the surface, filling five full-size tables, eventually forming the first-ever freely negotiated contract before expiration of the current one, in the history of local 3888. In another room in the hotel, people from the City’s bargaining team scoured through the same documents, experiencing the immense pressure of signing their “John Hancock” and making it official. The membership would ratify a five-year Collective Agreement days later, setting a course for many years of stability. Frank started Fire Watch and was the
half years; six and a half years as President. His willingness to make a deal was evident in the ATI agreement, promotional policy, and transfer language, but nothing was more challenging than the week at the Sheridan. “One fire at a time”... President Ramagnano
division between Captains and Firefighters over entitlement to overtime opportunities. The political arena was more cutthroat than ever. Any quote or comment would be followed by a public opinion bashing. Yet, walking the tightrope, Local 3888 managed to convince the mayor to endorse a report by the Fire Chief to increase operational staffing complement by 156 over the next few years, investing in post-traumatic stress injury initiatives, and commit to regular replacement of apparatus. In less than three months, the succession planning had begun; it was time for all to learn from those who came before us. As Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” Together we have accomplished so much and together we will accomplish even more.
The global issues continuing to dictate the path, a new policy forced on the workforce, and the unrest in the membership grew to an all-time high, triggering only the second special membership meeting in the history of Local 3888. As I signed out of the online broadcast, the tug of war continued in my mind. Members, colleagues, and friends had weighed in on their beliefs and fears from entirely different ends of the spectrum. The newly elected Executive Board had “One fire at a time”... President already honoured two active members McCarthy with Line of Duty Death celebrations and recognition. In addition, we finally secured call-backs in operations; with up to 30 trucks out of service, the need to address Kevin McCarthy, President staffing was a necessity. It was a historical Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association victory, yet somehow it created more I.A.F.F. Local 3888
CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY
Rick Honsberger 905-401-1217 Find out more at economicalgroup.com and enter group discount code V1107.
6
Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH
6
SECRETARY-TREASURER’S MESSAGE
A
s the 2020-2021 fiscal year winds to a close, I thought I would share with you a summary of where we are and where we are going financially. Our year end is October 31st. As we close in on that date, I can tell you that the Association is in a very strong financial position again this year. Most committees will come in under budget. Monies that were set aside in the budget as carry-over spending from the 2019-2020 budget have not been needed. The reduction in the number of in-person meetings, along with the cancellation of in-person seminars, schools and conventions, make up for the bulk of the unspent funds. However, at the time of writing this article, we have not yet been billed for the legal expenditures incurred over the mandatory vaccination issue. We can anticipate a further rise in grievance spending over the next few months, as this issue continues to evolve. As well, we continue to fight the benefits grievance with the City. Each meeting with an arbitrator has a cost associated to it. We must pay our legal representatives for the preparation of our arguments, as well as covering 50% of the arbitrator’s fees. With online arbitrations, there is a reduction in costs, as we do not need to pay for the space that is customarily rented for in person meetings. Your Association is very aware of the costs and does everything in its power to keep them down. It is very difficult to budget for expenditures like these that vary year-over-year. It is one of the reasons for carrying a significant reserve. We would never want cost to come in the way of something like the benefits grievance, where we are fighting against changes that seem to roll back the benefits that were bargained for in years past. The cost of not fighting these changes far outweigh the legal fees that we are incurring now. The OPFFA is holding one of the first in-person events that we have attended in the last 18 months. The Fall Education Seminar is scheduled for October
4-7, 2021. In the spirit of continued succession planning, we are sending 7 Executive Officers and 13 Stewards for training. Courses offered include Basic Stewardship, Basic Grievance, WSIB Level 2, and Advanced Bargaining. Our own Education Committee met recently and is working on training that can be provided in-house, so that interested Local 3888 members can begin to learn about the Association and its history. The intent is to make it easier for the future leaders of your Association to get involved. We believe that the money spent on endeavours such as these, is an investment in the future of this great Union. We recently spent a day with the 96 new Operations recruits, taking the opportunity to discuss all of what their Association provides to them. Many of our Executive Officers were able to attend to provide an overview of our various committees. Each time we swear-in a new class of recruits, regardless of the division, I am impressed with the members that we have gained. It is not difficult to see the potential of future Union leaders amongst these groups. This class is no different. We had recruits asking how they can help in our charitable endeavours. Others, who had been involved in the Union of their previous employment, were asking how they can use their skillset to help their fellow firefighters. As well, in the spring of 2021, 11 Executive Board Officers received certificates in Labour Relations, through Ryerson University and Lancaster House. I feel very strongly that as those of us who are reaching the end of our firefighting and Executive Board careers prepare to step aside, there is a strong, well-educated group ready to take over. You can see it clearly from the new Executive Board Members and Stewards all the way down to the newest recruits. It will be our job to provide all of the training and experience that we can to these members so that they can be prepared to take over when we step down. I will do my part to ensure that
significant funding is allotted for learning opportunities and training in our 20212022 budget. I would also like to take the opportunity to provide you with a summary of the current status of local 3888 staff. Each year, we apply for and receive government funding to hire summer staff through the Canada Summer Jobs program. This year, we received nine weeks of funding for two staff that fall into the category of “youth” (under 25 years). We hired for an IT position and another for general administration. At the end of August, Leanne Zinser retired. She has been a critical part of our team for over five years and her experience and knowledge will be missed immediately. On September 20th, Suzanne Boss returns from her maternity leave and we look forward to her return. We have also been made aware that our accounts coordinator, Beatriz Coniglio, will be retiring at the end of 2021. Beatriz has been with us for 21 years and will leave us with a significant hole to fill. Temporarily, Jordan Luden, our summer administrative staff will be staying on to fill the gap left by Leanne. Jordan comes to us fresh from receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from McGill University. His long-term goal is to become a Toronto Firefighter. His skillset is regularly being leveraged by the entire board.
James Reed, Secretary-Treasurer Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888
Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH
7
We Proudly Support Our
‘Front Line’ Workforce!
SPECIAL BRAND NEW VALUABLE DISCOUNTS 4X4 For Firefi 2013 FOCUSEMS, 5-DOOR HATCHBACK TITANIUM ghters, Police Services, Nurses, Teachers and More! 6-speed Automatic Transmission – with SelectShift, Navigation System, Luxury Group, Power Moon Roof, Power Drivers Seat, Leather Bucket Seats, Rear View Camera Reverse Sensing System. Stock # S3409
FALL CLEAROUT EVENT
CASH SALE PRICE
$
21,995
+HST & LIC
2014 EDGE SELCustom LOADED Order Navigation System, Your 2022 F150, Panoramic Roof, Rearview Camera, Leather Heated Ranger or Explorer Seats, 3.5L Engine,
BRAND NEW
Automatic transmission, Sync System, Sirius Satellite Radio
Receive up to
2,250
$
FACTORY ORDER BONUS CASH SALE PRICE MTHS $0 DOWN LEASE FOR 36 MTHS $0 DOWN Contact Our General Manager For Your Special Price!
+HST/MTH
0% $33,695 $353 khaled@westonford.ca OR
APR
ADE EQUIVALENT
+HST & LIC
+HST/MTH
0% APR
+ FREIGHT $1650 OR TRADE EQUIVALENT
We Will Tailor Make A Lease Or Purchase Plan To Suit Your Budget!
WITH THE LOWEST PRICES EVERYDAY!
24/7 SHOPPING AT WWW.WESTONFORD.CA
2062 Weston Road South of Hwy. 401
westonford.ca
416-244-6461 1-800-554-9755
n 16000 kms per year, .12 cents for Escape and .16 cents for Edge for each additional kms over. Advertisements and promotions are valid on date of publication only.
VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
I
n preparation for this article, as the newly elected Vice President of Local 3888, I took the time to reflect back to early 2020 and where we stand today. From the first part of 2020 to the current date, it has proven to be a harsh challenge, both personally and economically, for many Canadians and people around the globe. Many companies, large and small, faced mass unemployment and reduced hours, while local family businesses operating for generations within our communities permanently shuttered their doors. Even closer to home, my family had contracted the virus and members’ spouses and their immediate family members suffered the inconsolable loss of loved ones and friends, due to Covid-19. This health crisis has touched us all to the core. During these unforeseen and unprecedented times, we should take a moment to recognize how fortunate we are. Our jobs are pay protected, benefits remain status quo, and we have managed to remain secure. This is the time to realize the value of a strong union such as ours. Although we worry about the health of our family and friends, we as union members have not had to experience the magnitude of financial hardship of countless others. Our union continues to protect jobs, improve wages through a strong bargaining process, and provide safe working conditions, by continuously improving health and safety standards. We are the “gold standard” that other unions strive toward by promoting and fostering the value of an inclusive and diverse workplace. On a personal note, I retired from the board in July of 2019 after serving as an Executive Officer for ten and a half years. I returned to run in the 2021 election for the position of Vice President, Local 3888. Prior to the 2021 election, our then President of Local 3888, Frank Ramagnano accepted a position with the
International Association of Fire Fighters, creating a vacancy for his position, as well as a vacancy for the Vice President. When I left the executive board in 2019, I felt my work was not over and I still had more to contribute to Local 3888, representing our members. In my heart, I never left my role with the union and always remained involved with the executive board. The timing was perfect. As Vice President for over two months now, I have also been promoted to the rank of District Chief. I chose to remain an active fire fighter, which allows me to keep my finger on the pulse, to better serve and understand our members. Returning to the union as Vice President, I have had the pleasure of personally reconnecting with members, our current executive board and management. As mentioned to many, it was like moving back home. Most importantly, and with gratitude, I would like to express a heartfelt thank you by acknowledging a few individuals who offered a significant level of mentorship and business acumen during my time as a union member and as a new Executive Officer in 2008. These key individuals took their time to share their experiences, knowledge and guidance during my learning curve years. Their legacy will continue as I plan to mentor our future Executive Officers with the same sage advice offered to me by the noted individuals. Past Vice President Jim Reid, Local 626 Past President Scott Marks, Local 3888 Past President Ed Kennedy, Local 3888 Past President Frank Ramagnano, Local 3888 Sadly, we lost Ed Kennedy in 2020. He was a true union leader and one of my closest friends. Ed’s contributions included years of union passion and dedication, leaving behind a long list of union accomplishments. He was instrumental to Local
3888, providing his knowledge, support and education to stewards, future executive officers and provincial leaders through the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association educational seminars. Ed’s passing has left a huge void. He will never be forgotten. I would not want to conclude this article without the recognition of one of our past Executive Officers, Doug Erwin. Doug was a strong and aggressive advocate while on the board and he continues to provide his support, guidance and expertise. Doug is always a phone call away to share his knowledge of past practices and historical arbitrations. Thank you so much Doug. You are appreciated. In closing, my personal vision is to provide the same caliber of mentorship to our future Executive Officers of Local 3888. This will involve succession planning and full membership involvement. Collectively, our objective as a union board is to protect all articles in the collective agreement while finding improvements for members of Local 3888. Our union remains strong and united with a progressive agenda to bring us into a strong and viable future. I look forward to any and all challenges to bring our Association into the next generation. Fraternally, John Maclachlan
John MacLachlan, Vice President Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888
Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH
9
CHAPLAIN’S CORNER Doing Our Best in Difficult Times “What I feared has come upon me, what I dreaded has happened to me.”
S
uch are the words of Job, a character in the Bible who, in one day, lost ten of his children and all of his resources (7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 oxen, 500 donkeys, plus the tragic loss of most of his work force). To make things worse, a short time later, Job was afflicted with a painful skin disease that left him in the dirt as a broken man. His wife, having had enough, had this counsel for him, “Curse God and die’. While Job didn’t curse God, all his sufferings certainly made him think about death. In fact, for a period of time, he longed for it, praying that God take his life. Such are often the thoughts of desperate and broken people. When people are going through hard times, it is vital to have supportive and caring people at hand, for we are to loan our strength to others in their time of need. I’ve always found the account of Job and his sufferings to be a bit unsettling; particularly the line, “What I feared has come upon me...” I have a vivid imagination. It would not be healthy for me to ponder the worst things that could happen. So, how do I process what he said? Instead of burrowing down the rabbit hole of “what could go wrong”, I live with the understanding that, “Yes, life is fragile, bad things can and do happen, but I’m not going to
live with a spirit of fear”. Rather, I’m going to do my best to trust God, help others, all the while holding on to my faith, which speaks of a world to come in which there is no more suffering, tears, or death. Why such a glum start to an article? Sometime today, TFS Communications will take a call where the very worst thing has happened in that person/family’s life. After the call is taken, a fire crew will arrive at that person or family’s door, and they will witness for themselves what the communications call-taker heard described on the phone. As awful a day as it is for that person and family, such is what the TFS, as a whole, is about. Helping people who might be having the worst day of their lives. Despite some of the horrible things heard and seen, and the toll that it often takes, it is a great privilege to come into a person’s or family’s life with the intention of helping them in their darkest hour. While it might not be possible to take away or even reduce someone else’s pain or trial, how and who we are in those moments that we are with them is of vital importance; the dignity and respect afforded, the compassion shown, the patience given, and going that extra mile. These things, which are called “soft skills,” can make
West Command Rev. Todd Riley 416-318-9167 tsriley@teksavvy.com
a huge difference. To attend a scene prepared (and this involves all members of the TFS) and to leave a scene having done what was realistically possible given the circumstances, there can be great comfort in just having done that. Sometimes, one’s consolation will be this: “I/We did our best in a difficult situation.” That’s a win! To think to oneself, “I entered into this person’s life on what was their or their family’s worst day. I did what I trained for, and I did my best. I followed to the best of my abilities and my training. I treated the person and the family with respect, patience, and compassion. I worked well with my team. While I can’t change what happened or take away their pain, I did what I could.” Helping, and being with people during difficult times, is both a privilege and a burden. Every member of the TFS family is a vital part of this. We are all working towards the same end/mission. As for the burden of service, it is impossible to “care without wearing”. Carrying our own load, plus that of others, necessitates monitoring and looking after ourselves so that our attitudes stay good and our mind, body and soul remain in a place which allows us to thrive, enjoy life, and continue to serve others. So please, look after yourself, and as you are able, ‘loan your strength’ to others in their time of need. Thanks for all you do!
Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 11
Hazmat IQ
Ammonia (NH3) Responses What Are the Risks?
A
BY STUART WEST, TORONTO FIRE ACTING CAPTAIN, STATION 113-B
chemical that I wanted to discuss with everyone is ammonia. Why ammonia, you might ask? For one, ammonia has a multitude of risks and chemical properties that can present many challenges for first responders. Secondly, it is used in a broad range of industries, which include manufacturing facilities, healthcare facilities, fertilizer production, household cleaning products, water treatment plants and as a refrigerant in ice rinks and other locations. There have been some very serious accidents involving workers who encountered dangerous levels of this product and were not properly prepared. In most cases, the workers simply didn’t possess the knowledge needed, did not have the necessary personal protective equipment, and/or lacked detection equipment to help keep them safe. This resulted in unnecessary injuries and, in some cases, fatalities. Consequently, it’s imperative that we understand what level of risk there is at these incidents involving ammonia, so that we can avoid any accidents in the future.
12
Fast Facts (NH3)
Ammonia’s chemical makeup consists of one nitrogen atom covalently bonded to 3 Hydrogen atoms. When in its natural state, ammonia is a clear colourless gas, with a very pungent, irritating odour that is perceptible at approximately five PPM. However, as previously mentioned in other Hazmat IQ articles, “olfactory fatigue” can quickly impair our ability to smell ammonia or other gases when exposed for a continuous length of time. Ammonia is lighter than air, with a vapour density of approximately 0.6, compared with air (1.0) as a reference point. This means that when at 70 degrees F, the temperature at which laboratory testing is completed, ammonia will tend to rise. However, ammonia typically is transported and stored as a liquid under pressure. Ammonia exists naturally as a gas, but can be liquefied by pressure, cooling, or both. Ammonia has a very low boiling point of -33 degrees C, so when released, the liquid will vaporize rapidly. The vapours will tend to pool in low lying areas for several minutes, until they begin to warm up. This can also depend on humidity levels, as ammonia is hygroscopic, referring to its affinity for water and its ability to absorb moisture. If the humidity levels are high, ammonia vapours may remain heavy, weighted down by the moisture in the air. Leaking liquid ammonia will cause skin damage and frostbite if contacted with unprotected skin. Liquid ammonia has an expansion ratio of 860 to 1. This means that a given volume of liquid ammonia, converted into vapour will now occupy a volume that is 860 times the original liquid volume. By way of comparison, propane has an expansion ratio of 270 to 1. Ammonia is corrosive and very water soluble at 34%. When ammonia is dissolved in water, it forms a basic solution known as aqueous ammonia or ammonium hydroxide, with a PH of approximately 11.7. Ammonium hydroxide is a separate and distinct Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 12
chemical compound than pure ammonia. This is typically what you find in some household cleaning products. Usually when sold for household usage, ammonium hydroxide will have 1%-3% ammonia content, while industrial usage may have as much as 35%. I’m sure many of you have run calls where people have made the unfortunate mistake of mixing an ammonia-based cleaning product with a chlorinebased cleaning product, which has resulted in an injury. In fact, I’ve even heard a story or two of some of our fellow firefighters doing it while cleaning in the firehall. All kidding aside, this is obviously a very bad idea, as it releases poisonous chloramine vapours. Pure ammonia vapours will react with any sweat or moisture on exposed skin and cause skin irritation due to its corrosive properties. Most SDS documents indicate that skin irritation will begin anywhere from 10,000 PPM to 30,000 PPM. Ammonia will have already reached its IDLH level of 300 PPM well before skin irritation becomes a concern. Ammonia is also flammable; with a flammable range of LEL 15% to UEL 28%, although it needs a competent source of ignition, as ammonia does not ignite that easily.
protection can be worn, such as APR’s or PAPR’s, but they must be used within the parameters they are designed for and with detection equipment that includes an oxygen sensor and a sensor that can detect ammonia. Only SCBA is capable of being used in IDLH environments. The maximum allowable concentration of ammonia for a workplace is 25 PPM, with a short-term exposure limit of 35 PPM. A concentration of approximately 5000 PPM will cause death within minutes, whereby a level of 10,000 PPM is enough to cause immediate death if inhaled completely unprotected. Ammonia can react with the moisture inside your lungs to cause pulmonary edema. The second way that ammonia can harm us is due to its flammability/explosivity. Although ammonia is somewhat difficult to ignite, if a competent source of ignition is present, ammonia can have tremendous explosive power when confined, due, in large part, to its expansion ratio. A room can quickly reach dangerous levels if an active leak is occurring, especially in locations that are not well ventilated.
How Ammonia Can Cause Harm?
Now that we know a little bit about how ammonia behaves, we need to understand more about how it can harm us. There are three primary ways in which ammonia can cause harm. The most concerning route of entry when dealing with ammonia is by way of inhalation. Since we are all equipped with the highest level of breathing protection (SCBA), this usually is not an issue for us. However, maintenance workers and refrigeration technicians are not likely to be so equipped. Other forms of breathing Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 13
AT ALLIED UNIVERSAL,
we are changing the world through life safety and security. Because when we are united as a team, we can be the difference. Our Toronto team is seeking a experienced Fire Safety Coordinator to join our phenomenal team.
jobs.aus.com
1235 © Allied Universal
Together, we can safeguard those in need.
Hazmat IQ...Continued from page 13
Crews responding to an incident involving an indoor ammonia leak should consider waiting for a truck with a multi-gas detector before making entry, if the building has already been evacuated. Most fixed facilities that have ammonia on site will also have a fixed safety system with at least one electro-chemical ammonia sensor, strategically located near their ammonia storage. However, these sensors may be limited to maximum readings of between 100 PPM and 300 PPM. Since ammonia is not within its flammable range until it reaches 150,000 PPM, these systems may not provide sufficient warning of the severity of the situation, if some other type of sensor is not available. The third way that ammonia can cause harm is through the skin, due to its corrosiveness. It will react with the moisture in the air and the sweat on any exposed skin and cause skin irritation between 10,000 PPM and 30,000 PPM. A fully encapsulated Level A hazmat suit must be worn when ammonia levels reach 10,000 PPM or more. Ammonia can cause tissue necrosis and saponification, by reacting with fat cells in your body.
Fernie BC Ammonia Incident
On October 17th, 2017, a release of ammonia killed two city workers and a refrigeration mechanic at the Fernie Memorial Arena. There were many failures that led up to this event. Not the least of which was an aging chiller unit that was well past its useful life expectancy. Similar units are expected to last between 20 and 25 years. The unit that ultimately failed was 31 years old and had been recommended to be replaced as far back as 2010. The unit was placed back into service only the day before the incident, even though there was evidence, prior to the previous year’s end of season shutdown, of an ongoing ammonia leak in the system. The fire department had responded at approximately 0353 hrs, due to an ammonia alarm. Readings of 300 PPM were noted at that time. The system was shut down, the mechanical room was ventilated, and the mechanic on scene isolated the leaking chiller. However, by trapping liquid ammonia between two closed valves, the mechanic unknowingly made the problem worse by eliminating any opportunity for expansion. The fire department was then cleared from the scene, but the system was restarted later in order to try and save the ice.
At the time of the accident, two city workers and a refrigeration mechanic had made entry, so that the mechanic could change the oil in one of the compressors. They had no personal protective equipment, no detection equipment and no back up team. The ammonia alarm had been silenced from the earlier incidences and the alarm monitoring agency had been told not to notify first responders of any ammonia alarms for the bulk of the day, while they made attempts to get the system back up and running. Between 0915 and 0938 hrs, a coupling that was stressed beyond its capabilities separated, resulting in 9 lbs of ammonia being rapidly released. It is estimated that the level in the mechanical room, immediately after the release, would have been as high as 20,000 PPM, if not higher. This level was not survivable. Ammonia odours were reported in nearby areas of the community between approximately 0940 - 1320 hrs. At 1250 hrs, an electrician discovered one of the bodies in the mechanical room. Several hours after the release, levels as high as 400 PPM were registered in the lobby of the arena. Had the arena been occupied at the time of the release, the potential for a much greater loss of life was possible, if not probable. Several parallel investigations were launched in the incident aftermath, which ultimately led to multiple citations against both the City of Fernie and the refrigeration contractor, for health and safety infractions. There was also a total of 18 safety improvements recommended to improve safety for workers who work on ammonia systems or work with it in some capacity. If any of you care to know more about the Fernie, BC ammonia incident, there are copies online of the various investigative reports, in addition to a great video simulation put out by “Worksafe BC”. It’s estimated that there are some 750 ice arenas in Ontario, with approximately 60% to 65% of those using ammonia as a refrigerant gas. Obviously, a significant portion of those arenas are in Toronto. I would encourage all crews to visit the arenas or other facilities that may be in your areas and determine whether they use ammonia as a refrigerant gas or use ammonia in some other capacity. Getting to know these systems and their age will give crews some insight into the likelihood of any potential problems that may arise. Stay safe! Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 15
HREI COMMITTEE MEDIATION
TOOLKIT Members should be mindful and make themselves aware of the City of Toronto policies as they relate to their responsibilities to help foster and maintain positive and professional working environments across all Divisions in TFS. By demonstrating respect for each other, by keeping the lines of communication open, and by recognizing that everyone will process things differently, there is no reason why we cannot continue to work harmoniously together. Members are strongly encouraged to contact a member of the Human Relations and Equity Initiatives (HREI) Committee when situations arise in workplaces that could benefit from unbiased assistance, to help members work through strategies to return working environments to a condition where all parties feel comfortable. The following information is intended to provide a better picture of what to expect when someone considers filing an HR complaint against a co-worker or co-workers. Parties could create their own document with notes and facts about their complaint. For example, these notes could include names, dates and locations and any other pertinent information. This is not a legal document that will be submitted, but it can serve as a reference point for members during the HREI mediation process and/or TFS Staff Services Division (SSD) process.
16
1. You will be advised that, at any time, it is your right to file a formal complaint via the City of Toronto process. 2. You will be asked to describe/explain your concern. 3. You will be asked if you believe that there would be a benefit for a mediation between you and the other member(s). 4. A meeting will be arranged at your work location. People you can expect to be in attendance beyond you and the other member are a minimum of one HREI representative and your District Chief. Note: Your HREI Committee representatives are in attendance as neutral parties who are involved to help facilitate a constructive dialogue, help identify areas of concern and to help promote dialogue to find resolves. The DC will be engaged to help provide a level of support for the members as their highest level of supervision within the chain of command (within the bargaining unit). The HREI members and the DC will meet with each of the parties (complainant and respondent) where the following might occur: a) It will be explained that the meetings are meant to provide an opportunity for each party to express their position/concern, to find common ground regarding each other’s position/concern, and hopefully arrive at a position where each member can put things behind them and move forward in a professional manner so that the parties can work together. b) Beginning with the complainant and followed by the other parties, separate meetings will be facilitated. c) When both parties are agreeable, a meeting of all affected parties will be held to help the members discuss their situation, take ownership of their role in the disagreement, indicate how each is going to modify their behaviour to help reduce tensions and to put the members in a position to be able to work together. This is the desired outcome.
Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 16
TFS STAFF SERVICES DIVISION (SSD) When an HR complaint is escalated to include the TFS SSD: 1. Through the process, the SSD will develop questions based on: a) the complaint. b) the initial complaint interview. c) the respondent interview, and d) interviews with witnesses. TFS and SSD take the position that they are not obligated to notify the TPFFA when, in the opinion of TFS/SSD, they determine that interviews with witnesses are not going to yield any statement that would put the witnesses in a position that could result in discipline. The TPFFA does not agree with the TFS/SSD position and strongly encourages witnesses to contact a member of the Local 3888 HREI or Grievance Committee, should they be approached for an interview as a witness. Note: Through this process, the complainant and the respondent will have representatives from the 3888 HREI and/or Grievance Committee in attendance to document the SSD questions and your responses. Your TPFFA representative is there to take notes and ensure both the process and the member are respected. The TPFFA rep’s role is not as a lawyer/advocate. They have little standing to direct/control questions asked by SSD. Your representatives are able to indicate that the member has answered their question and to move the interview along and they can facilitate breaks to allow members an opportunity to compose themselves. In all interviews, neither you. nor the 3888 representatives, will have access to the questions prior to any interview. It is important that you pace your responses, so that their questions and your responses can be documented. 2. During these interviews, each party will be asked a standard set of initial identification questions that are likely to include: • Your name • Your employee number • Your start date • Your rank • When you attained your rank • Your work location
3. At the end of the interview questions, each party will be asked if there is anything else that they would like to add that may help with the SSD investigation. 4. At the end of the SSD interview, they are likely to advise each party of the following: a) Each party is not to speak to any other parties about the investigation beyond your union representatives, your doctor and/or your legal counsel. b) Each party is not to retaliate against any of the involved parties. c) Any discussion of the issue, outside of those indicated or any retaliation could result in discipline up to termination.
Considerations During Your Interview/Interrogation 1. SSD representatives will use techniques to ‘encourage’ you to share beyond what you have been asked. Example: using dead air/silence. - Allow the SSD person to move onto the next question. 2. SSD representatives will often ask for the same information in several questions. Feel free to indicate that you have already - provided the information. 3. Consider only providing answers to the questions that you are asked. 4. Be factual. These investigations can take an extended period of time. In some cases, it can take many months. During this process, it is not uncommon for parties to continue their pre-complaint working arrangements. Please govern yourself appropriately when you return to your workplace. Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario: A third mechanism available to members is the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. Members are encouraged to consider this as another way to get a resolve.
Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 17
How to Get FULLY INVOLVED! Red Knights Motorcycle Club
RANDY: It was started in Boylston, Massachusetts in 1982 by 11 local firefighters. The Ontario 1 (GTA) chapter started up in 1984, becoming the first international chapter of the RKMC. Within a few years, it expanded across Canada, New Zealand and Australia. We now have about 400 chapters in 20 countries, with 10,000 members! You can tour a lot of the world, finding a Red Knights chapter, with a warm greeting all along the way. There are three parts to our mission: To enjoy the camaraderie of firefighters globally; to improve the image of motorcyclists; and to perform community service. Our motto is “Loyal to Our Duty”. It’s a clear and deliberate reference to our profession. In regard to what we do, we ride, we socialize, and we have fun! Whether it’s heading out for a day ride, marshalling a charity event, or going thousands of kilometers on a tour, we really look forward to the ride. The international conventions are always a massive good time. Lifelong friendships are forged with like-minded folks from around the globe.
BY KEN DE JONG, TORONTO FIRE CAPTAIN, STATION 445-A
INTRODUCTION
This is a series of Q&A articles on Toronto Fire related organizations that can get you more involved in the firefighting community. Some of the best people on the job give back to the fire service in fun and exciting ways. If you find this organization interesting, consider reaching out to them for more information. This month’s theme is getting out of self-isolation and being active again. What better way than to get on your iron horse (motorcycle) and ride! The Ontario 1 (GTA) Chapter of the Red Knights is led by TFS’s Randy Smith. Here is some great information on how to take your motorcycle passion to the next gear! KEN: What does your organization do and what is its history?
18
KEN: Do you have to own a motorcycle to participate in the activities? RANDY: Good question, and it’s one that requires a brief segue. There are different classes of membership. All firefighters are considered “active” members. Every active member must hold a motorcycle license and have access to a street legal bike. Spouses, partners, and other family members may become social members. We are an inclusive, family-oriented club. Unlike 1% clubs, we do not “prospect” members. Female firefighters are welcome as full members, and any brand (Harley, Honda, BMW, etc) is accepted. As for the “brand” issue, don’t worry - we will make fun of you, no matter what you ride! This is firehall life, after all. KEN: How do you recruit members? RANDY: One of our traditional approaches is to send notices to the fire halls. Of course, we don’t know whether you’ll actually see it or not. The Red Knights have also been very successful recruiting at the various bike shows. However, Covid shut those down everywhere for the past 16 months. Nowadays, we see a larger response to our online presence at www.redknightsontario1.ca as well as the @RKMC_ON1 Twitter feed and our redknights_ont1 Instagram account. What’s very gratifying, and somewhat surprising during these times, is the renewed interest in the past year! More of our younger TFS members are riding, and we are adapting. You used to see 25 to 30 year-olds buying full-on touring bikes. Nowadays, there are more cruisers, bobbers, streetfighters, sport, adventure and dual-purpose rides. I’m excited about the change, and we want fresh ideas. Our Road Captain welcomes input regarding routes, and we will look at the “two groups, one destination” method of planning for some rides. Opportunities like this article are really helpful, as Fire Watch is the one medium that reaches all TFS members.
KEN: What is the commitment for a member? RANDY: There are no “mandatory events”. Each member picks and chooses what they can get to. We are truly low pressure. This is a social club, not another responsibility. Of course, like anything social, the more you put in, the more you get out. KEN: Are there any costs that are the responsibility of the members for the club?
RANDY: I just checked with our Treasurer, and we’re not moving our account to the Cayman Islands (laughs). There is a small initiation fee of $20. As well, annual fees are $40 for an Active Member or $60 for the whole family. Outside of dues, there are other optional costs. We have a club vest, which is trademarked. It identifies us as Red Knights and is well known in the motorcycle community. These aren’t cheap, but every single vest ever worn by an Ontario 1 Red Knight has been made by hand, locally, for over 35 years. We’re proud of that, and plan on continuing the tradition. There are activities like BBQs, where everyone chips in, just like meals in a fire station. The more expensive events are the conventions and trips, of course. No one is obligated to attend them, but once you go to one, you can’t wait for the next one. I’ve attended many international and Ontario conventions, and never had a bad time. It was a real shame when the 2020 convention in Leon, France was cancelled due to COVID. That was one I was really looking forward to. KEN: What is the most epic event that you’ve done or that you’ve been at? RANDY: Wow, that is a great question! If you ask a hundred Knights, you’ll get a hundred different answers. Some Ontario 1 members have been taken on trips through the Italian, Swiss and Austrian Alps. Others have toured around Australia, the US and all over Canada. I was privileged to join Ireland 1 (Cork) a few years ago, and several members showed my family that part of the Emerald Isle. Conventions take us to roads that we would never otherwise see, and all Chapters are thrilled to show off their country, province or state.
KEN: How has COVID changed the club and will you be returning to original activities or is there a “new normal” for the club? RANDY: That’s a tough one. Society is still recovering, and regulations are still changing. Most of us are vaccinated and are more than ready to get together again. Group motorcycling by its very nature is (and always has been) social distancing while socializing. We are currently planning events for the upcoming months, as well as next year. For those not on our email list, the website is the place to stay up to date. KEN: What would you say to someone out there who is thinking of joining the Red Knights? RANDY: I would say – do it! But why not do five minutes of homework first? Go to our website and check it out. Call me (or any member) and meet for coffee. I’m happy to ride just about anywhere, and I’m always ready to talk about the Red Knights. Just know that if you join, you may well find yourself with friends in Australia, Ireland, Belgium, etc., with the bonuses of local tech support, a hot meal, and maybe a place to stay if needed.
KEN: Any final thoughts? RANDY: Belonging to the Red Knights allows us to combine our fire family with our love of riding, with firefighters on two or three wheels around the world. The life of all Chapters is cyclical. Ours was once very large and active, then went through a period of maturing and gradual reduction. Now we are into another growth phase. It’s a fun time to get involved, and to be part of the future. I’d really like to thank you for the opportunity to share information about the Club! Remember – It doesn’t matter what you ride, it matters that you ride. Contact Information Website – www.redknightsontario1.ca Instagram – redknights_ont1 Email – redknightbiker@yahoo.ca Phone – 647–470-7562 (RKMC) Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 19
Member Profile on BY TONY MACDONALD, TORONTO FIRE CAPTAIN (RETIRED)
Kyle Croxall came on the job in 2015 and works at Station 344 on A shift. When he is not working as a firefighter, Kyle enjoys an interesting pastime. Imagine putting on your hockey skates and standing at the top of a very long, steep, ice-covered hill. When you look down from the top, it is not only steep, you also see jumps, obstacles, and hairpin turns. This sport was known as the “Red Bull Crashed Ice” competitions, and is now called “Ice Cross”.
Kyle was at Algonquin College taking their Pre-Service Firefighting program in 2008, when he heard about some try-outs for this event. It appealed to him so he signed up. When he finished second at the try-outs, he went to his first race in Quebec City. Kyle remembers, “Standing at the top of this insanely steep, 500-meter course in Quebec City for the first time, was one of the scariest moments I have ever experienced. Taking the first stride to begin the descent was a mental battle of its own. With speeds of up to eighty kilometres per hour on hockey skates, one wrong move can take you out of the race and end an athlete’s night.” Hundreds of competitors start the process, and each get two runs to qualify. The 64 guys with the fastest times qualify for the race. These top 64 competitors get two practice runs to get comfortable with the course, and then the race begins. Four competitors are sent down the course at a time, and the first two to cross the finish line move on to the next round. The other two are out of the race. Back then, the sport was new, training was minimal, and it was more of a fun event once or twice a year. Kyle’s brother Scott, and his parents, drove to Quebec City to see the race. Kyle made it through a few rounds before crashing. “I remember how mad I was at myself for crashing and being eliminated from my first ever event. I instantly wanted another shot at it.” He got that shot the next year, held again in Quebec City. Not only did Kyle come to race, but his brother Scott wanted to try it as well! Their parents made the trip again to watch their boys race. Scott’s first race was similar to what Kyle had experienced the year before. Kyle finished on the podium in third place! “This is where it really began. A few weeks later, I was sent to represent Canada in my first overseas race in Prague, in the Czech Republic.”
In 2010, Kyle and Scott managed to stand on the podium together in Quebec City, for the first of many times, where Kyle received his first Gold medal and Scott took home 3rd place. Their proud parents were watching at the finish line. “My parents were very excited for us in these races. My mom was definitely nervous, although once they saw a few races, and realized that we were doing well, they started having parties at their house, for friends and family, whenever we had a race overseas or somewhere that they were not able to attend to watch.” Every year since 2010, Kyle has been ranked in the top three in Canada, and top ten in the world! In 2012, he became the World Champion during a season with the most races in history. “This was one of my proudest moments, and best accomplishments in my sporting career.” 20
Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 20
Kyle Croxall Two years ago, they competed in their most interesting season to date, which consisted of major races in Tokyo, Japan, Jyväskylä, Finland, and also inside the famous Fenway stadium in Boston, USA. “Scott and I both learned to skate at the young age of two. Our Dad would build a rink in the backyard every year, where we would skate and play hockey. We played hockey since age four, and to this day are still playing. The two of us played in the GTHL most of our childhood, as well as Junior A, and Senior AAA hockey. Competing against each other at Ice Cross is tough. We must be careful not to take each other out, and we always want to be the first two to the bottom to move on to the next round and, eventually to the finals. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen, and we must stay positive and cheer each other on. It has been an amazing experience to travel the world with Scott and dominate the sport for many years. We have been training together for years, always competing in everything we have done, and pushing each other to be the best.” “In Ice Cross, we use regular hockey skates. Some competitors use a much flatter blade, although I prefer a regular hockey blade with just a slightly flatter profile. No body contact is allowed, although like Ski-Cross or Boarder-Cross, you are allowed to battle for position”. Their training mainly consists of rollerblading in an indoor bike park. They train on pump tracks, jumps, and with many obstacles closely related to Crashed Ice at this facility. Another major part of training is a skating treadmill, where they are able to simulate a 45 to 60 second race on skates. Hockey and dry land training are other vital components of their race training. “I have been fortunate enough to travel to many countries and compete in countless events across the world. I have been able to see many different cultures and explore places I may have never visited in my lifetime.” During his twelfth season of racing, they were approaching the finals in Moscow, Russia. After numerous races throughout the season, Kyle was tied for first place. Unfortunately, due to Covid, the season finale had to be cancelled. Although this is not a full-time sport, Kyle hopes to see it continue to grow. “I am fortunate to have participated for this long. I appreciate having the support, and time off to be able to race, while enjoying a fulfilling full-time career with the Toronto Fire Services. Water skiing is another interesting part of Kyle’s life. Just like hockey, he started water skiing when he was two years old at their family cottage in Muskoka. “My Dad taught me how to slalom ski, then I progressed to barefooting. Nearing the end of high school, I started working at Summer Water Sports on Lake Rosseau, where I taught water skiing and barefooting, and was part of their ski show as well!” Kyle went on to ski with the Team Canada Show Ski Team, and also skied at the CNE in their shows for two summers. “I still like to slalom ski through the course, and go barefooting on the lake at our family cottage.” Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 21
Premium brands
Delivering dream kitchens is our specialty. A family-run business for over 75 years, Caplan’s prides itself in selling premium appliance brands and delivering quality, white-glove service to Torontonians.
Package pricing
White glove delivery
Book an appointment with one of our sales specialists today! caplans.ca |
416.767.1655 |
shop@caplans.ca
1111 Weston Rd | Toronto, M6N 3S3 | Just South of Eglinton Parking lot directly across from store
Letter from the Editor…
I
If we didn’t know before, it’s become increasingly evident through the pandemic that we need one another. As other city divisions are phased in with the return to the workplace, we in TFS have continued to run the course throughout the pandemic. In many facets, I think more often about what it means to be resilient. We have certainly come a loooong way through this pandemic. We have been through all seasons with COVID-19, experienced highs and lows, know better what to expect, increased the vaccination population and continued to respond necessarily even though there has been much added stress. This to note, we have come to appreciate family and friendship, and to utilize support and the mental health network. When I speak with friends and colleagues, I continually hear how they are excited that public places to gather and socialize are open again, and that they can get out of the house and celebrate friendship. As the city returns staff to the workplace, many are eager not to work, since we’ve been doing that all along. Rather, they are eager to gather and socialize again. When I am scheduled in the office and other colleagues are also there, I see the enthusiasm in the faces of others when they talk. In some ways, it’s like we’ve returned from an apocalypse! While we work in teams, it’s known that it only takes one to support, provide companionship, save, collaborate, and befriend. I’ve used this example before and it’s a good one…if you recall the movie Cast Away, Wilson (a volleyball) becomes the main actor’s (Chuck Noland, played by Tom Hanks) only friend
TORONTO FIRE SERVICES EAP/CIS NEWSLETTER
Lynn Sciberras
and companion through his deserted four-year journey (and it’s not even human). Although it only takes one, we all know that the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts. Humanity hangs on to whatever it is that provides a source of hope. This is one aspect of resilience. Another source of resilience is having someone, or a network, to provide support, to help us get back on our feet. Much else is up to us. The adage, “where there’s a will, there’s a way,” applies and if the way cannot be found, get trusted support and a back up. Knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel is what provides this hope. We no longer need to feel alone. We have several resources to draw from and Adina does a great job in outlining an abundance of resources in her article below. So, as we re-open in this phase of the pandemic, strongly consider connecting with a suitable mental health resource in support of your life journey and your check up from the neck up. People need people. This is a mantra that I repeat often with my adopted child. Though now a young adult, they learned at a young age, through unfortunate and unfair lived experience, that people were not to be depended upon and that extreme self-reliance was the way to survive. I have admired their resilience since the day I met them, and I continue to marvel at the strength they exhibit as they work to evolve past the lessons learned through trauma and embrace the complexity of a complete and fulfilling adult life. When I see them struggling and retreating into themselves, I remind them, ‘People need people, if we want to thrive, not just survive.’
VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 3 | FIRE WATCH
1
Resources By Adina Kaufman, Toronto Fire Acting Captain, Station 133-D As firefighters, we know what it is to work in a team, to depend on other people for our very survival. We know how to ask for help when it’s time to move homes (beer and pizza anyone?) or seek out a reliable tradesperson for any job. Yet, so many of us seem to find ourselves thinking we must do it all alone when we are struggling with issues of mental health and personal well-being. “What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.”
— Glenn Close
In our last issue, we discussed options to reach out individually to our TFS/TPFFA Peer Support Team, and/ or Employee Assistance Program, and the value of a personal relationship with a mental health professional. We all should have a ‘personal health team’ that includes a family physician, dentist, physiotherapist, chiropractor, massage therapist, etc. We cannot emphasize enough the value of having a mental health professional on your personal health team. Please see the last issue of Fire Watch for details on how you can find the right mental health professional for you. Some of us are lucky enough to have at least one person
2
within our closest circle of family and friends who truly makes us feel seen and heard; a relationship where we can truly be open and honest about who we are. Some of us are lucky enough to have more than one such relationship, including a great rapport with a mental health professional. These types of 1:1 connections are invaluable. There is also tremendous value in connecting with people in larger groups, especially ones where there is common lived experience. There is much to be said for not having to explain things about one’s life and experiences, especially where struggle is involved, because the others already know the struggle first hand. “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.”
— Fred Rogers
We want to remind everyone of some of the great resources and groups available to us, within TFS, TPFFA, IAFF, and beyond. These groups and organizations offer different ways to connect with others for friendship, support and learning.
TORONTO FIRE SERVICES EAP/CIS NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 3 | FIRE WATCH
TPFFA Experience Groups: TPFFA currently has three active experience groups for its members who identify as any of women, 2SLGBTQ+, black, indigenous and people of colour. These groups have an informal format, are peer-facilitated, and offer a chance to simply connect with other TPFFA members who share similar identity markers. The groups have no formal mandate, no defined agenda, and do not report to TPFFA leadership. You can watch for Union Notices announcing the next meeting and/or reach out to TPFFA Human Relations and Equity Initiatives Committee Chair, Ken Webb (webb@torontofirefighters.org), to be connected with one of the group facilitators.
Peer Support Team Support Group Discussions: Your TFS/TPFFA Peer Support Team hosts regular webinars on topics that may be of interest to learn about in a group format. You can choose to simply listen anonymously or participate by asking questions and/or contributing to the discussion. For example, the most recent group discussion topic was hosted by TFS Mental Health Professional Chris Rodrigues and discussed “What is Psychotherapy?” These Peer Support Team group sessions are always announced via Union Notice.
Wounded Warriors Canada: TFS and TPFFA have an established partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada to offer innovative mental health programs and services to firefighters and their families, with a particular focus on first responder occupational stress injuries. Group and family therapy is a specialty of Wounded Warriors Canada, including the option of animal-assisted therapy. Through this partnership, Toronto firefighters and our families can access programs including: group-based trauma programs, trauma resiliency programs, couples overcoming PTSD programs, animal-assisted therapy like PTSD service dogs and equestrian therapy, child and youth programs, and many more. For more information about this partnership, please contact Wounded Warriors directly (1888-706-4808) and/or Peer Support Team Member Dave Smith (das_051379@hotmail.com, 905-424-4407).
IAFF Centre for Behavioural Excellence Online Education Series: The IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery is known to offer treatment for successful recovery from post-traumatic stress and co-occurring addictions, and help IAFF members return to the job. It also offers an online education series for IAFF members, other first responders, healthcare providers, clinicians and the community at large. Some past topics have included Fire Family Dynamics: Promoting Healthy Home Lives, Healthy Relationship Building & Maintenance for Fire Service Couples, Equine
TORONTO FIRE SERVICES EAP/CIS NEWSLETTER
Therapy for the Fire Service, Trauma in the Fire Service: A Discussion on Post Traumatic Stress, etc. You can view recordings of past sessions and see a listing of upcoming sessions at: iaffrecoverycenter.com → Resources tab → Event Schedule and Webinars
Addiction Recovery Groups: Alcohol and substance abuse affect ourselves, our families, co-workers, and loved ones. You don’t have to suffer alone; there is help available. These groups give hope to those that are stuck in addiction and show them that there is a way out, while offering ongoing support for those in recovery. Anonymity is protected, offering a safe place to share your recovery or your problem. Many of our members have found tremendous support through different peer-led recovery groups. Options include: • TPFFA Phoenix Group: Weekly online meeting - Wednesdays at 8pm - run by members, for members to support each other, as we free ourselves from alcohol and substance abuse. Meetings are currently held on Zoom. Open to active and retired members, from all divisions. Zoom Meeting ID: 918 4698 9450; Password: TFS12step. More info can be found in L3888 Union Notices (e.g. #21-006). • IAFF: Weekly online meetings - Sunday speaker meeting and Friday small group meeting. Links to these meetings can be found at: https://www.iaff.org/behavioral-health/#online-recovery-meetings • 12 Ladies: Weekly online meeting - Tuesdays at 8pm - run by women First Responders for women First Responders (i.e. Fire Fighters, Police, EMS, Federal Officers, Correction Officers, and others, active or retired). Welcomes any sister who identifies as a woman. Safe place for women to gather and share conversation and experiences related to substance abuse and recovery. Contact: 12ladiesgroup@gmail.com We all are quick to acknowledge that firefighters like a good deal. Many in our community show their appreciation for our work through ‘deals & discounts’. Give us a reduced cost cell phone plan, or takeout food, or sporting equipment, and we will embrace it fully (perhaps too fully, but that’s also another discussion)! We need to extend our willingness to embrace what is offered to us, to include supports in the realm of mental health. We have benefits coverage for private mental health counselling and therapy, we have access to both professional and peer support, we have extensive online and in person resources to learn, grow and heal. There are many ways that we can find support from, with and among our peers, who know firsthand much of our lived experiences. You are not alone. You deserve to be healthy, safe, well and supported. People need people to thrive. Please reach out and connect.
VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 3 | FIRE WATCH
3
LET’S TALK: THERAPIES BY BERNICE HALSBAND, TORONTO FIREFIGHTER, STATION 232-C
THE NUMBERS GAME • 17 veterans, on average, continue to commit suicide each day, which is a number that has remained persistent over the past decade” – U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs 2020 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report
• 4% of Canadians First Responders will experience PTSD in their lifetime (Centre for Suicide Prevention)
• 22% of paramedics will develop PTSD (Centre for Suicide Prevention)
• 16 active and 15 retired RCMP officers died by suicide between 2006 and 2014 (Centre for Suicide Prevention)
THE PLAYERS There are any number of mental health challenges that can come your way throughout your life. Among them are PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), ASD (Acute Stress Disorder), Compassion Fatigue, Burnout Syndrome, SUD (Substance Use Disorder), and MMD (Major Depressive Disorder).
26
PTSD
WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT ISN’T The buzzword PTSD has been around for a while. It’s the modern version of Shell Shock, Delayed Stress Syndrome, Combat Disorder, Operational Exhaustion, Soldier’s Heart and Battle Fatigue. As the many names over the years have suggested, PTSD has been difficult to pin down in the public narrative. Even these days I hear the term misused ad nauseum. How many times has the absence of a firefighter been noted as, ‘Why is he gone?’ With the answer being, ‘I dunno… some kind of PTSD or something.’ Then the conversation turning into a matter of whether someone believes in it or not. This is what the science says: it absolutely exists. Without question. Whether someone is diagnosed properly or not is another question. What it isn’t: Simply put, it’s not just the blues. Just because you witnessed the same event as your colleague and they got PTSD from it and you didn’t, doesn’t mean they’re faking it. I’m allergic to raw carrots. For whatever reason, I have an anaphylactic reaction to them. If you and I each eat a raw carrot and my throat closes up because I am allergic, it doesn’t mean I’m faking. Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 26
PNEUROLOGICAL EFFECTS OF PTSD A PTSD brain scan, when performed properly, will show the following: 1. A hyper-active amygdala
2. Reduced activity in the pre-frontal cortex
3. Reduced activity in the hippocampus
AMYGDALA HIJACK
PTSD is sometimes called the “amygdala hijack,” because the amygdala is where we process fear. The prefrontal cortex is where we think logically and the hippocampus is where we process memories into long-term storage. PTSD occurs when the amygdala confiscates the traumatic event with all of its intensity and impulse of emotion, and replays it over and over when triggered by anything resembling fragments of images, smells, sounds, tastes or touches. If you are depressed or have trauma, it may be very real but may not show as PTSD. The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors states that ‘1 out of every 4 burn survivors will experience PTSD’. The brain and body become inseparable in trauma. The body directly reacts to the brain’s amygdala, which sends out memories of the trauma as sensory fragments. The trauma memory is not stored as a story, but is replayed as if it is happening in real life.
TREATMENTS
This is where things get interesting. Different treatments have had different success ratios, and so far, the pull-ahead winner has been psychedelic research. The Phoenix Society admittedly states that ‘Today we recognize that the frontal part of the brain has limited ability to change the deeper parts of the brain, especially when the body is in a trauma response or distress. Talk therapy works when the brain is online and functioning, but when the rational part of the brain is hijacked by the trauma memory, people may not hear words or reasoning, or make meaning of events and experiences. When the deeper regions of the brain are in this state of distress, survivors are back in the trauma and their brain and body seem to be in a time warp.’
EMDR, SENSORIMOTOR THERAPY, CBT, MEDICATIONS, TALK THERAPY EMDR What it is: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This therapy uses bilateral stimulation to alternately engage both sides of the brain in action. How it works: It is meant to use bilateral movement (having the person follow a therapist’s finger back and forth in front of their vision field) to cause the traumatic memory that is looping in the emotional side of the brain to integrate with the cognitive part of the brain. The theory is that the eye a nd brain movement should increase the ability of the prefrontal cortex to ‘get online’ or find rationality in the traumatic event. The downside: High drop-out rates and inconsistent results.
SENSORIMOTOR THERAPY What it is: Limbic calming through soothing music, prayer and meditation, mindful breathing, yoga, and exercise. Your amygdala is a part of the limbic system which is involved in our behavioural and emotional responses, especially when it comes to behaviours we need for survival such as feeding, reproduction and caring for our young as well as our fight or flight responses. How it works: It gets you to notice sensory body responses and be in tune with your body’s messages. To address healing, it engages the body and mind in the recovery process. Examples: Taking 5 minutes in the morning and evening to
rock back and forth or side to side, noticing and relaxing the body, finding music or tones that are calming, deep breathing, exercise for 12-15 minutes to stimulate serotonin and dopamine production, 5-10 minutes of prayer and meditation through the spiritual center of the brain that is able to influence the deeper regions of the brain. The downside: This method requires calm and consistency which is difficult for a trauma brain to attain. It is difficult to access the deeper parts of the brain and according to Michael W. Smith (MD, MBA,CPT), almost a third of patients drop out of therapy and up to 58% of people still have PTSD symptoms after they finish.
CBT What it is: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy How it works: Essential components of CBT practice 5 things: developing an individualized case formulation, session structuring, activity scheduling, the thought record and schema change method. CBT focuses on the relationship among thoughts, feelings and behaviours and notes how changes in any one domain can improve functioning in the other domains. This happens over 12-16 sessions. The downside: The downside can be considered the upside, depending on what you expect the success rate to be. One third of those who completed self-management CBT achieved high end state functioning at six months. Of that one third, CBT led to a 53% reduction of PTSD symptoms. Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 27
MEDICATIONS What it is: Medications are often a cocktail of FDA approved drugs that are meant to treat the symptoms of PTSD and trauma. It ends up being a cocktail because the side-effects need their own treatment. How it works: Depending on the brand of antidepressant or anti-psychotic drug, it can sometimes be a long and harrowing process, but when people are ‘dialed’ into the right dosage they can be helpful. The downside: Getting dialed in can take a long time, with some people that I’ve interviewed taking over a year to get the dosage right. Some people have also stated that as they have progressed through different stages in their life, the dosage has had to be adjusted, and to go through the process of it all becomes emotionally and physically exhausting, with some people getting frustrated and ready to give up entirely. Some have experienced states of psychosis, saying that they felt worse (i.e. violent, suicidal) than their regular depression, trauma or PTSD. The other downside is that once you are on medications, you will have to be on them for life.
MAPS – MULTIDISCIPLINARY ASSOCIATION FOR PSYCHEDELIC STUDIES: THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON DRUGS Yes, you read that right. Psychedelics. Since 2017 the FDA has deemed MDMA as a breakthrough therapy tool because of its beneficial effects on PTSD symptoms. The findings have propelled MDMA assisted therapies into an ‘expanded access status’, which means that mental health professionals can give the drug to people who have such severe forms of PTSD that it could be life threatening without a clinical trial. One study found that 67% of people reported that they no longer met the criteria for PTSD after a year of MDMA assisted therapy – which is the equivalent of three 6-8 hour sessions. The CBC reported that in July of 2021, Health Canada greenlighted the Vancouver psychedelics company Numinus to go ahead with an MDMA therapy study for more than a dozen people suffering from PTSD, sponsored by MAPS. What it is: MDMA is NOT Ecstasy or Molly. MDMA is short for 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It is administered in a clinical setting with one or two psychotherapists. How it works: One dose is administered in a clinical setting, with a second dose administered 45 minutes to two hours after the first. The MDMA causes the release of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers including dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, oxytocin, prolactin, cortisol and vasopressin) to brain cells that change brain activity. Its effects are the reverse effects of PTSD; the amygdala. 28
The downside: MDMA assisted therapy is still being studied, even though there is 30 years of research and data backing up its claims of helping traumatized brains. Because the medicine leaked into the counterculture and became a party drug, much like psilocybin and LSD, it has earned a very bad reputation, and deservedly so. The abuse of any medicine leads to more issues, not the resolution of problems. Street drugs have a different composition than pure medicinal MDMA. MDMA is NOT Ecstasy or Molly. Researchers have found methamphetamine, ketamine, caffeine and ephedrine mixed into street drugs like Molly and Ecstasy. To mental health experts that have studied the effects in a clinical setting, this has meant observing patients that become more empathetic, self-aware, energetic, less anxious, and able to open up about emotions. Results have been promising; even in conservative estimates, the researchers are stating that MDMA assisted therapy is reaping more benefits than any other psychotherapy or medications that are now used. Not only did the patients that cease to suffer from PTSD improve their mental health, but the three session treatments were all that were necessary to keep them from slipping back into a trauma brain state. Dr. Allison Feduccia, a neopharmacologist and clinical trial leader for the study in Canada, has said that the drug facilitates a memory reconsolidation, which can be the key to root issues of PTSD causes. The Nature Medicine Journal Publication, a peer reviewed magazine, has published placebo-controlled phase 3 studies revealing the efficacy of MDMA treatment, which were also published in the New York Times this year. In addition to numerous mainstream media publications and peer reviewed papers, the Canadian trials have been presented to the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research Forum in Vancouver. MAPS has been doing research and collecting data on the use of psychedelics, including cannabis and ayahuasca, for thirty years. The stigma of misuse has left a deep imprint on governing bodies in both Canada and the U.S. It wasn’t until this year that the U.S. House Appropriations Bill directed the National Institute of Health to undertake and fund research into psychedelic-assisted therapies and potential benefits of cannabis, with special emphasis on veterans with PTSD, as well as recommendations for (first ever) public funding of MDMA-assisted therapy. Until now, the funding was provided by MAPS and private donors. Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 28
Mind, Body & Spirit from the Retired Toronto Fire Fighters’ Association! I’m sure you have all heard the saying, “Firefighters hate two things: things always staying the same, and change.” So, as we slowly make our way out of the pandemic, where will we be? For many of us, it will be a good time for “renewal”. The dictionary defines renewal as, “An instance of resuming an activity or state after an interruption.” In our case, this is an understatement. It seems that as we emerge, we are facing quite a different world. The aftermath of the pandemic will still be with us for some time. In some cases, the changes will be permanent. The change has been so widespread, that it has widened the gap between those still on the job and those who have recently retired. It may be even more significant to those who have been retired for some time. As our social groups begin to get together more and more, there will be a period where there will be lots of questions asked about “what’s going on?” Patience will be needed. Sadly, some of our members have passed during this time and due to the restrictions, we weren’t able to properly celebrate their lives. For the family members, as we open back up, resuming life without their loved ones will be difficult and we hope they reach out to our fire service family for support if they need it. For some of us, being forced to stay home for so long has caused much introspection. Introspection can be a good thing, as long as the resulting changes are carefully planned. Instead of thinking of big change as a disruption, consider it an opportunity to recreate yourself. Use this time to explore new opportunities, relationships, and interests. With age comes wisdom and life experience, giving you the chance to create a new adventure. The pandemic has been tough on all of us. Here are a few areas to consider:
Finances
•D eal with the financial fall-out, if there is/was one. If you lost money, you may need to reassess your financial situation. No matter the outcome, review your living costs and determine your next steps. • Many of us have managed to do well during this period and finances are not on their radar. • Some may have had to take in or help family and found it difficult. • Some may now need to re-consider their pre-retirement plans. • Any members who have suffered financial hardships would be best to reach out to their financial advisors. Our Credit Union has always been there for our members when they needed help.
Your Time
•You should take time to reintroduce yourself to being able to go out! Enjoy your new freedom (as weird as it will feel). Perhaps find some new hobbies or get back to your old ones. Time for a shoutout to our golf league organizers. They have all been very active in keeping the leagues going and getting our members out. • Spend time with your friends, and get used to being out again. Consider one of the breakfast groups. There are several and one of the largest is organized by the Toronto Fire Department Pensioners. This group meets every Wednesday. For details, send an email to the address at the end of this article. • Some of our members, especially the single ones and their families, have struggled with the restrictions and the solitude. This can lead to depression and more health issues and may need some help from us to get back out into the world. • Consider Volunteering.
Once we get over the change, try to adopt a new perspective about your life going forward. Big life changes, even negative changes, are also huge opportunities for growth and learning. All of our members have so much to offer the world from their decades of experience in life. Try to view your next steps as a grand adventure and proof that you are a force to be reckoned with. Let the next decades be the best yet! Our last words here have to go to you, the members of our TFS Family. We know it’s not over, but we had to give all of you and our retirees an honourable mention for hanging in during such adversity. The staffing issues, the positive Covid tests, the protocols, the smell of hand sanitizer were all challenging and yet you all still showed up for work to serve our public with dedication and professionalism. To all those who reached out, offered to drive our members to the supermarket, to the hospital, and even to get vaccinated, your RTFFA is proud of you. You deserve a round of applause. Thank You. As we go forward, the RTFFA will continue to keep all of you updated on our progress. Taking the current environment into consideration, and the Delta variant, we may not be able to resume our regular membership meetings until the spring of 2022. Having said that, our membership drive is continuous. If you’re interested in becoming a member, feel free to contact us at active.retired@torontofirefighters.org. The dues ($25.00) are payable annually on the 1st of May. Come join us, and remember to follow us on social media: On the Web - https://www.retiredtorontofirefighters.org/ On Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TFSRetirees On Twitter - @TFSRetirees Be well and stay safe.
President Alan Thomas - Secretary/Treasurer Chuck West - Alan Hall - Paul Halls - Ron Coates - Al Falkner Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 29
June 17, 2021 - August 24, 2021 RETIRED Brian Muir James Robert Simpson Clifford Ralph Sparks Roger Train Peter Pius Rose Sr. Ron Wretham
June 17, 2021 June 19, 2021 June 20, 2021 June 20, 2021 June 22, 2021 June 22, 2021
Ronald W. Hawman James (Jim) Bruce Gerald Stanley Payne James (Jim) Hood Carl Graham George Edward Beck
June 30, 2021 July 24, 2021 August 17, 2021 August 17, 2021 August 23, 2021 August 24, 2021
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.
30
Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 30
Captain Martin Costoff It is with great sadness we are notifying our members of the passing of active member Captain Martin Costoff, badge #1683, in his 63rd year. Known as “Marty”, Captain Costoff started with the North York Fire Department on September 26, 1988. Records indicate he was placed at P125A, and moved to P111A. He was promoted to A133 as Captain on March 19, 2018, then transferred to P125A. Our condolences go out to Captain Costoff’s family, friends, and co-workers. Captain Martin Costoff, you will be missed. Rest in peace Cap!
Captain Daniel G. Thompson
Daniel Thompson (Danny), badge #1703, was a proud Toronto Fire Fighter Captain and served for over 30 years. He started his career with the Borough of East York Fire Department and was stationed at what is now TFS station 321 on October 31, 1988. His records indicate he was promoted to P116C, then served on AL114B, P211A, A215A, and finally on A312D. Our condolences go out to Captain Danny Thompson’s family, friends, and co-workers. You will be missed Cap! Rest in Peace Brother Thompson.
Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 31
Fit to SURVIVE
The fire fighter’s guide to health and nutrition
Group Circuit Training Program Design BY ALEX BOERSMA, TORONTO FIRE CAPTAIN, STATION 426-D
Training as a group is almost always more motivating than training on your own. Hence the success of group training in every fitness realm from CrossFit to Yoga and now even to online platforms like Peloton and Nike Fit. For firefighters, training together provides the additional advantage of team development. Exercising as a crew can fortify our teams, both physically and psychologically. However, if we are going to exercise together, we should probably have some understanding of the fundamental principles pertaining to group training program design.
Group Circuit Training Fundamentals • Always have a goal. What is it you are trying to achieve? Unfortunately, the primary goal of most firefighter workouts I have come across is “make them as tired as possible”. Making people tired is not actually an appropriate fitness goal. It may be an appropriate outcome in some circumstances, but it should not be a goal. More appropriate fitness goals include improvements in speed, power, strength and endurance. In order to come up with a goal for your group circuit training session, begin by deciding two things:
32
o What movement patterns are you going to develop? Squats, hinges, lunges, pushes, pulls, rotations? o What specific fitness adaptation are you going to develop in the movement patterns you have chosen? Speed, power, maximal strength, submaximal strength, anaerobic endurance, aerobic endurance?
Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 32
The decision you make here will help you determine most of the other parameters of your program (things like reps, tempo, work to rest ratios and load). • Specify a rating of perceived exertion (RPE). RPE is an excellent and simple tool for helping people figure out how hard they should be working. It lets them know, on a scale of 1-10, how fatigued they should be either at the end of the workout, at the end of each round of the workout, at the end of each station, or even at the end of each rest period. The table to the left includes appropriate RPEs for each different fitness adaptation. For more on RPE and exercise intensity, check out www.wellnessed.com/exercise-intensity/
o Use a timer and a speaker. There are all kinds of fitness apps available on your phone. I use Tabata Pro. These apps allow you to set up work, rest, and recovery times. If you connect to a speaker, you can then play music and have the timer loud enough so that everyone knows when to work and rest. • Be careful about allowing competitiveness to hijack your training session. When people exercise together, especially when firefighters exercise together, they tend to want to compete with one another. Training sessions tend to degenerate into performance sessions. Keep everyone on track by emphasizing the focus and prioritizing the appropriate RPE.
• Pick your exercises last. Most people begin by picking a bunch of exercises and then fitting all the fitness parameters around those exercises. A more effective tactic is to figure out all your exercise parameters based on your goals first. Choose your movement patterns, your work to rest ratios, your reps, sets and tempo first. Then, based on the equipment you have available and the capacities of the various people doing the workout, decide what specific exercises might be most appropriate for helping everybody meet the goals of the program. •T hink about logistics. o S et up exercise stations in a clear and logical manner. If people are moving from station to station, try to set it up so they are moving linearly or clockwise/ counter-clockwise. Try not to have 2 upper body or lower body exercises back-to-back. o Post the exercise order on a whiteboard or somewhere everyone can see it. o Specify a time interval as your cue for rotation. Circuit training always gets confusing if people are not rotating stations at the same time. Even if your goal for each exercise station is rep based (e.g. complete 10 reps at each station), assign a specific work and rest interval so that everyone rotates at the same time.
Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 33
Dear Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Hi All,
TPFFA
MDC Thanks Fire Fighters Hi All, Hope all is well with everyone! I just wanted to send you a note and thank Toronto PFFA for everything you have done and continue to do for MDC and the families affected. We are proud to have you on our team. Our tradition with Fire Fighters started with you in 1954 and continues strong today! Your leadership continues to shine, bringing new and energizing ideas to the table; your commitment is outstanding! I wanted to give you some notice that Monday is our Muscular Dystrophy Canada Fire Fighter Appreciation Day so please be sure to check out our social media platforms and be part of the celebration if you can, as we thank Fire Fighters for all they do.
Thank you. On September 27, we are excited to celebrate you during Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s Fire Fighter Appreciation Day. Every year on this day, we hope to show you how grateful we are for your partnership and for supporting the neuromuscular community in Canada. Fire Fighters have stood beside us since the beginning - you are part of our organization’s DNA. Since 1954, Fire Fighters have raised nearly $100 million and the impact of your support has been felt by our community members. You make a difference every single day. This was another challenging year with many changes, uncertainty and increased need. We recognize how demanding it has been for you, not only because of the pandemic, but also because of the many wild fires and local community needs across Canada. You continue to inspire us all with your dedication and commitment. Thank you for your continued fundraising and awareness efforts, and for finding new and unique ways in which to engage with our community.
As an extra thank you, please see the below message from our CEO Stacey.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, our staff, volunteers and the thousands of Canadians affected by neuromuscular disorders, thank you. We are so grateful for your partnership and today we celebrate you.
Thanks for everything!
Sincerely,
Carrie Fischer Development and Community Engagement Specialist Muscular Dystrophy Canada
34
Stacey Lintern CEO Muscular Dystrophy Canada
Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 34
Vo l u m e 1 5 | I s s u e 3 | F I R E WAT CH 35
Exclusive Partner Program
getting a new phone just got better
Exclusive offer for Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association members. Get you and your family on Canada’s best national network.1
Bring your own phone and get:
25GB
max speed data
for
60/mo.*
$
*Unlimited shareable data2 with 25 GB at max speeds. Beyond 25 GB, speeds are up to 512 Kbps.
Take advantage of your exclusive offer today. Online: www.wpci.com Username: opffa Password: fire
Phone: 416 242-8046
Email: swilson@wpci.com
Current as of September 14, 2021. Offer ends December 31, 2021. Available with compatible devices within network coverage areas available from Bell Mobility. Speed and signal strength may vary due to traffic, topography, environmental conditions and other factors, like Bell’s management of network resources, using methods which include Internet traffic management practices. See bell.ca/ITMP. One-time Connection Service Fee ($50) may apply and appear on your first bill. 9-1-1 government monthly fee in AB.: $0.95, N.B.: $0.97, N.L.: $0.75, N.S.: $0.43, P.E.I.: $0.70, Qué.: $0.46, N.W.T.: $1.70. SK.: $1.88. Bell remits required amount to government. Taxes extra. Other conditions apply. Subject to change without notice, not combinable with other offers. Existing Bell customers who choose to switch to the Bell Exclusive Partner Program before the end of their contract are required to pay out their device balance and are subject to a $50 migration fee. (1) Based on a third-party score (Global Wireless Solutions OneScore™) calculated using wireless network testing in Canada against other national wireless networks of combined data, voice, reliability and network coverage. See bell.ca/network. (2) Reduced data speeds beyond 25 GB. You can continue to use data at these reduced speeds until your next monthly bill period. Only available in Canada. Not compatible with Roam Better. All other trademarks and logos used are trademarks of their respective owners. © 2021 Bell Canada. All rights reserved.
EMS 1%REBATE* , y l i m a F e c ! n y l O i m a F s y a Alw s e c i v r e S r u O g n i d i v r O Pro d e r i t e R , t n e r r u C To f O s e Spous s r e b m e M r e Form DARREN BELL SALES REPRESENTATIVE FELLOW EMERGENCY SERVICES PERSONAL
416-577-5198 darren@canuckrealestate.com darren.bell.canuck.real.estate Darren Bell Canuck Real Estate
CANUCK REAL ESTATE canuckrealestate.com
416-237-0100
* Some conditions apply, please contact us for further details. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Please inquire regarding discounts for properties under $500,000
Inspire🍁🍁Educate🍁🍁Rebate
