ADVERTISING Please contact Bill Monson at 416 466 1167 or e-mail monson@torontofirefighters.org
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Moving Forward Together
Taking on the role of president of our association has been both an honour and a challenge. With a new executive board in place, we anticipated a period of adjustment as everyone settled into their respective responsibilities. Fortunately, those growing pains have been minimal thanks to the exceptional work ethic, professionalism, and commitment of the individuals serving alongside me. Each board member has stepped up, demonstrating a shared dedication to representing our membership and strengthening the association. Their collaboration and focus have been the foundation of our early success. One of the most consistent messages I heard during my campaign was that our members wanted greater visibility from their principal officers. I took that feedback seriously and made it a top priority upon taking office. Since assuming this role, I’ve made an effort to visit at least a few halls each week. These visits give me the chance to speak directly with our members, listen to their concerns, and better understand the challenges and successes they experience on the floor every day. Those conversations remind me why we do what we do; to ensure that every member is supported, represented, and respected. In my first three months, I’ve also had the honour of swearing in 103 operations recruits on August 21 and six mechanical recruits on September 18. Standing before these new members of Toronto Fire Services, watching them take their oaths, was a powerful reminder of the pride and tradition of our profession. These recruits represent the future of our service and our association. Their energy and enthusiasm are infectious, and it’s our responsibility to provide them with the leadership, mentorship, and support they will need throughout their careers. Our Stewards Program has also undergone a trial period this year. This pilot has given us a chance to test
how the program functions in practice, identify areas for improvement, and determine what level of support and training will make it most effective. The feedback we’ve received so far has been extremely valuable. Going forward, the membership will have the opportunity to decide what direction they’d like the program to take. Our goal is to ensure that the steward system is strong, responsive, and truly representative of the needs of our members across all divisions.
I’m fortunate to have begun this role during a time when labour relations are at an all-time high. Toronto Fire Services and our association are currently being viewed by many as a model of how productive, respectful labour relations can function. That didn’t happen by chance. It is the result of years of hard work, relationship building, and professionalism on both sides. However, maintaining that level of collaboration requires continued effort. It’s something I take very seriously. I plan to keep working with our management counterparts to address issues proactively, to communicate openly, and to ensure that mutual respect remains at the core of our relationship.
Recently, we hosted a town hall session with management, where TFS leadership answered questions submitted by our members. It was encouraging to see so many people engage with the process and take the opportunity to have their questions addressed directly. Overall, the event was a success and an important step in promoting transparency and communication. That said, we also received helpful feedback on how to make future sessions even better. Some members felt that the questions posed to management were too easy. I want to clarify that the association did not write those questions; they came directly from our members. Our role was simply to present them on your behalf. Still, the feedback is valid, and we’ve heard your suggestions. Many members have asked for a way to
pose follow-up questions based on management’s responses. We are actively exploring ways to incorporate that into future sessions. My hope is that our next town hall, scheduled for December, will be even more dynamic and informative.
Of course, one of the most common questions I hear when visiting the halls is about our collective agreement. Specifically, when the new contract will be released. Unfortunately, the matter remains before the arbitrator, and at this stage, only Mr. Stout knows when the award will be issued. I understand the anticipation and the frustration that comes with waiting. As soon as we receive any update, we will communicate it to the membership without delay.
As I look back on my first few months in office, I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, but I’m even more optimistic about what lies ahead. The strength of this association has always come from its members. It is the passion, professionalism, and unity that define who we are. I am committed to continuing to build on that foundation, ensuring that every decision we make reflects the values and priorities of our membership. We have an opportunity not just to maintain the progress we’ve made, but to set a new standard for how firefighters’ associations can lead, serve, and advocate. Together, we can continue to move forward; stronger, more connected, and more united than ever before.
Hot Topics SECRETARY-TREASURER’S MESSAGE
The Contract
When is the contract coming out?
What’s the hold-up? What is the Association doing about it?
These are questions the Board hears regularly — and the answers can understandably be frustrating. We have moved from replying, “I don’t know,” to the more hopeful, “We are one day closer.”
The reality is that the contract remains in the arbitrator’s hands and we are awaiting a decision. When bargaining begins, both sides work to address and resolve concerns. However, certain “must-have” items cannot always be negotiated. Those unresolved issues are presented to an arbitrator for a binding decision.
What’s the Hold-up?
Arbitration begins with both parties submitting the matters on which they seek a ruling. The arbitrator reviews the issues, and if the bargaining teams were close to an agreement, the items may be returned for further discussion. Otherwise, the arbitrator may request the supporting documentation be provided by both sides.
Decisions are made based on past and current arbitration rulings in comparable cases. Whenever a new arbitration award is released during this process, it can affect the overall timeline.
Some have suggested that delays might financially benefit the city, as interest can accumulate on potential payouts. While that may be true to a small extent, the Association’s priority is a sound and well-reasoned decision — not a rushed one.
What’s the Association Doing About It?
Here is the most frustrating part of arbitration — the wait.
As we wait, we inevitably ask ourselves: have we done everything possible? Did we present our case clearly and effectively to the arbitrator? And of course, we play “firehouse lawyer,” trying to predict the outcome. The bargaining team is confident that the Association’s concerns were presented clearly and concisely, supported by all relevant information available at the time. As many of my military brothers and sisters have heard before: Now we hurry up and wait.
Attendance Management — What Is It and Why Do We Have It?
The ever-popular Attendance Management Program — often referred to as the ATM — has resurfaced after taking a hiatus during the COVID years. With nearly 800 new members who have never encountered this program, it’s understandable that questions continue to arise:
• Why are we allowing this to happen if it’s a negotiated benefit?
• Why are we being punished for using our allotted sick time? To clarify these concerns, let’s revisit the background and function of the program.
The Attendance Management Program is a city-run initiative designed to maximize service to the public and assist employees in minimizing absences through accommodation, assistance, and rehabilitation. This was the city’s stated rationale when the Association brought the program to a grievance arbitration in 2000. The grievance was first heard in May 2002, and ruled on in October 2003 — establishing this as an arbitrated ruling with more than two decades of history.
Key Features of the Attendance Management Program
1. Non-culpable Absenteeism: The program applies to absences from work due to illness or non-occupational injury.
2. Annual Cycle: The program year begins on January 1 each year.
3. Trigger Number: Determined by the average number of occurrences within each division.
4. Informal Meeting: Once the trigger is reached, an informal meeting occurs to:
a. Identify concerns regarding attendance
b. Explain the impact of absences on operations
c. Set expectations for improvement
d. Identify available resources for assistance
5. Monitoring Period: Once in the informal program, absences are monitored for six months from the date of return to work. Members may use four 12-hour sick days before advan-
cing to the next stage. Ill-dependent days do not count as sick days.
6. Formal Program: Exceeding the threshold moves the member to the formal stage. The employer again addresses absences, reviews support options, and emphasizes the impact on the workplace. Monitoring continues for another six-month period.
7. Improvement Requirements:
• Sustained improvement of 1 year to < 18 months: revert to previous stage
• Improvement of > 18 months to < 2 years: move back two stages
• Improvement of > 2 years: process closes and resets to the informal stage
8. Exemptions: May apply and should be discussed with your Union representative at the time of your meeting.
9. Tracking Form: Signing the form during an informal meeting does not constitute an admission of guilt, as this is a non-culpable program. Your signature simply authorizes the Association to access the checklist; while optional, it is preferred.
In Summary
The Attendance Management Program is an arbitrated, non-culpable city initiative that the Association must adhere to, regardless of differing opinions about its value or fairness. And the real question that always comes to mind is this:
If this is an Attendance Management Program, why do they call it the ATM? Stay Safe.
Chris Sornberger, Secretary-Treasurer
Offer expires Dec 31, 2025
Offer expires Dec 31, 2025
Offer expires Dec 31, 2025
Offer expires Dec 31, 2025
Offer expires Dec 31, 2025
Offer expires Dec 31, 2025
VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Building Bridges on the Fairway
II was golfing with my dad at the Annual TPFFA Charity Golf Classic when my dad leaned over and commented on how many chiefs had shown up that day. He said that in his day, there would never have been this much brass at a union event.
I’m not exactly sure when “his day” was—after all, there are a lot of “days” in 44 years—but his point struck a chord. What he noticed as unusual has become normal to me. Seeing management at union events feels completely commonplace now. Our chiefs regularly attend union golf tournaments, retirement dinners, media events, and even the Christmas party. That’s not the norm in many other locals, and even here in Toronto, it wasn’t the norm just twenty years ago.
Since I can’t use this space to write about our amazing new contract, I thought I’d take the opportunity instead to reflect on the current state of our labour relations and how we’ve gotten to this point.
But first, I want to pause to recognize the people who made the tournament such a success. A huge note of appreciation goes out to South Executive Justin Gaspini and the entire Entertainment Committee for their outstanding work in organizing the event. Thanks as well to William Morris, our former chair, for laying the foundation for so much of what we continue to build on. To all of our volunteers, your efforts don’t go unnoticed. And to the attendees—thank you for coming out and making it another great day.
Now, back to the golf. I was golfing (poorly) with my dad, Chief Fairman, and our new North Executive, Danny Bellio. Let me just say, golf is not my sport. I don’t think I had the “best ball” once. I was lucky if I even found mine. Honestly, if it weren’t for the beer, I can’t imagine why anyone would willingly subject themselves
to this exercise eighteen times over. Not far behind us on the course were Deputy Darling, Commander Hewson, Commander O’Brien, Commander Carson, and many more chiefs. What struck me was how natural the atmosphere felt. No one seemed out of place, no one was walking on eggshells. It was easy to be social. To me, that speaks volumes about the very positive working relationship that currently exists between the Executive Board and management. And keep in mind, this is happening right in the middle of contract negotiations, a time when you’d normally expect relations to be tense. Instead, the chiefs came out in support of the union. That says a lot.
I felt the same atmosphere a few weeks later at the Ride to Ottawa sendoff. Union members and management stood side by side, cheering on our firefighters and rallying together for a great cause.
For those who were hired prior to amalgamation, you’ll know things weren’t always this way. Party lines were drawn more sharply back then, and not just between the union and management, but even between different commands. Rivalries and divisions ran deeper. Today, I rarely get that same sense. A big part of the change, I think, comes from the “new blood” on the job— firefighters who have never known anything different. The introduction of callbacks has also played a role. Working with other crews at different halls across the City builds connections that break down barriers. Over the last few years, this has fostered a much stronger sense of unity across the job.
The positive climate we enjoy today is something I inherited as Vice President, and it’s something I’m committed to protecting. I want to give credit where it’s due: our past President, James Reed, deserves recognition for building this rapport
and elevating the relationship with management to where it stands today. His leadership set the foundation, and his newly minted president emeritus status is well earned.
I find it encouraging to see us moving toward a stronger sense of “one job.” At the end of the day, we are all here for the same purpose: to be the best firefighters we can be and to provide the best possible service to the City. That’s the mission, and if that’s not why you’re here—well, I don’t want to hear it.
I have no doubt this positive trend will continue. The more we erase the illusion of difference between commands, the stronger our professional bonds between TFS and TPFFA will become.
I can also speak first-hand to the mutual respect that exists between President Mike Smith and Fire Chief Jim Jessop. Their priorities may not always align, but at the core, their goals are the same: ensuring the success of our firefighters and the safety of our City.
As long as we keep that perspective front and center, then it really doesn’t matter who’s throwing the party. What matters is that we can all show up, share some laughs, and enjoy being part of the same team.
Justin D’Aloisio, Vice President
Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association
I.A.F.F. Local 3888
CHAPLAIN’S CORNER
Imust say, 2025 has been a great year. I turned 55 this fall, which has led to many moments of reflection. These ponderings have guided me through an adventurous year. This is the first year in 30 years that it’s just my wife and I at home again; it’s like we’re dating each other all over again, and I gave in to planning a cruise with her. In April, I resigned from my position as a minister in the church, to focus solely on a charity I started a year ago called, The Chaplain’s Platoon. In June, our daughter had a baby, my first grandchild, and she is beautiful and basically perfect! In July, my middle daughter got engaged on her birthday. And soon after, my oldest daughter announced that she was pregnant and due i n early 2026. Lots has changed in a year!
I’m also coming up to my 10th year as a chaplain with TFS. I continue to enjoy every moment along the way! There have been significant changes in TFS over the past decade, with arguably the biggest challenge being the pandemic. As I reflect in the different arenas of life, my mind comes back to a familiar place, a curiosity in, and appreciation for, resiliency. Before resiliency was a thing, the ancients called it steadfastness. In my faith tradition, a verse in the context of doing right says, “Be steadfast (and) immovable.” Martin Luther King Jr. adds, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” Great leaders have one thing in common, resiliency in their leadership. One of the best definitions I’ve come across for resiliency comes from the military:
• “Resilience refers to the ability to successfully adapt to stressors, maintaining psychological well-being in the face of adversity. It’s the ability to “bounce back” from difficult experiences. Resilience is not a trait that people either have or don’t have. It involves behaviors, thoughts, and actions that can be learned and developed in everyone.” [Deployment Stress Management Program (DSMP), US Military].
I like this definition because it includes everyone. I spoke to a room full of young women at Camp Molly last week - Camp Molly provides the opportunity for young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community, and the entire 4-day camp experience is free. I wanted to inspire these up-and-coming future firefighters in the importance of being a resilient leader. Resiliency is not something you accidently wake up to one day after 25 years in Emergency Services, but rather, something you develop from the very beginning. We spoke of building a Resiliency Support Kit [RSK]. One young woman asked, “Chaplain, what should be inside my RSK?” We explored that answer together.
But I propose the same question to you, whether you are a new recruit or a veteran leader in Fire Services. What is, and could be in your Resiliency Support Kit, your RSK? There are so many articles, tools, apps that can assist in your RSK. The Warrior Health App is an obvious one. As I drove home from the north, I asked myself what’s inside my RSK and I came up with a short list, but definitely not an exhaustive list.
North Command
Ted Leck
647-461-4047
chaplinleck@gmail.com
• Phone Numbers: A short list of proven friends that are my go-to after critical moments.
• Instrumental Music: Healing focused music on my playlist helps me shut off my mind when it’s overactive on a traumatic moment.
• Refuge Places: Walking in my back forest with my dog; Princess Auto; my northern cottage.
• Faith: I have a series of go-to prayers and verses when I need inspiration or encouragement.
• Vetted Therapist: I found a therapist that speaks my language; when I need a mental health check-up, he’s the one I call.
• Positive Curiosity: Reframing a critical incident from what happened to me or was stolen from me to, what can I get from this traumatic event and learn from it.
• Notes or Journal: Notes of encouragement from others or a journal to track my prior successes.
• A Good Book: Trying to stop nagging thoughts is much easier when you replace them.
I’d love to hear from you to see what’s in your RSK and what works for you. If you don’t have an RSK, now is the best time to start one. I also hope that you add one of our four chaplains to your kit; we are honoured to serve!
Fire Investigations The Forensic Examination of Smoke Alarms in Fire Investigations
BY STUART WEST, TORONTO FIRE ACTING CAPTAIN, FIRE STATION 145-C
Introduction
Fire investigations involve more than just determining cause. It is important to remember that fire investigations involve all aspects pertaining to the “origin, cause and circumstances” associated with each individual fire. Attempting to determine whether any fire code deficiencies negatively impacted the building occupants, or the suppression activities of the responding fire crews, is an important aspect of both the fire investigation itself and the post-fire inspection of the building. The forensic examination of smoke alarms is a crucial aspect of modern fire investigations. Smoke alarms, commonly found in residential, commercial, and industrial settings, are designed to provide early warning of fire, enabling occupants to escape and emergency responders to act swiftly. When a fire occurs, investigators rely on a thorough assessment of the scene, including the state and performance of smoke alarms, to reconstruct the timeline of events, identify causes and contributing factors, and sometimes determine liability. This article explores the forensic methods used to examine smoke alarms, the challenges inherent in interpreting the findings, and the significance of these devices in the broader context of fire investigation.
The Role of Smoke Alarms in Fire Safety
Smoke alarms have saved countless lives since their widespread adoption in the late twentieth century. Studies show that homes equipped with functional smoke alarms reduce the risk of firerelated fatalities by up to 50%. The core function of a smoke alarm is to detect the presence of smoke—a potential indicator of fire—and to provide early warning to occupants through an audible signal. Smoke alarms come in two primary types: ionization and photoelectric.
Each type detects smoke differently, with ionization alarms more responsive to flaming fires and photoelectric alarms better at sensing smoldering fires.
In forensic fire investigation, the presence, placement, and functionality of smoke alarms are critical pieces of evidence. Their condition can reveal much about the fire’s progression, the occupants’ ability to respond, and whether building codes or standards were met. If it can be proven that smoke alarms were either missing or inoperable, Toronto Fire Services (TFS) will follow up with “immediate Fire Code charges”. In these cases, if a guilty plea is not forthcoming, the fire investigator will be relied upon to give evidence in any proceedings.
Initial Scene Assessment
Upon arriving at a fire scene, investigators conduct a systematic survey, documenting the location and condition of all smoke alarms. Key aspects include:
• Location: Investigators note whether alarms are installed in recommended areas (e.g., bedrooms, hallways, kitchens, basements).
• Physical Condition: The exterior is inspected for heat damage, charring, melting, or other fire-related effects.
• Presence of Batteries: The type and status of batteries (if present) are checked, as a missing or dead battery is a common reason for alarm failure.
• Model and Age: The make, model, and manufacture date are recorded to determine compliance with current safety standards and potential recalls.
Photographic documentation accompanies these observations, capturing the context and condition of each alarm.
Forensic Examination Techniques
The forensic analysis of smoke alarms involves both physical and electrical testing, often supplemented by laboratory procedures.
Physical Inspection
Smoke alarms are removed from the scene and examined in a controlled environment. The device is disassembled to assess internal components:
• Sensor Integrity: The sensor chamber is checked for contamination, corrosion, or physical blockage.
• Circuit Board Analysis: Investigators look for signs of electrical failure, melting, or shortcircuiting.
• Battery Compartment: The state of the battery terminals is noted; corrosion or damage may indicate long-term neglect or fire exposure.
• Audible Signal Components: Speakers, buzzers, and wiring are tested to determine if the alarm was capable of producing sound.
Operational Testing
Where possible, smoke alarms are powered up (using fresh batteries or an external power supply) to assess whether they function as intended. Investigators may use test smoke or simulators to trigger the alarm and observe its response. If the alarm fails to activate, further electrical testing is conducted to isolate the fault.
Fire Damage Assessment
One critical question in fire investigations is whether the smoke alarm was compromised before or during the fire. High temperatures can deform plastic housings, damage internal circuitry, and render sensors inoperable. By examining heat patterns and damage gradients, forensic analysts can estimate when and how the alarm ceased to function.
Data Retrieval and Event Logging
Some modern smoke alarms, particularly those integrated into building management systems or “smart” homes, maintain event logs or communicate with control panels. These logs may record activation times, battery status, and maintenance alerts, providing valuable timelines for investigators. Retrieval of this data, however, requires specialized tools and expertise, and is only possible if the memory survives the fire.
Common Findings in Forensic Analysis
The forensic examination of smoke alarms often reveals issues that contributed to the outcome of the fire:
• Non-Functional Alarms: Investigators frequently discover alarms lacking batteries, with expired batteries, or that are otherwise disabled.
• Obstructed or Contaminated Sensors: Dust, paint, or other obstructions can prevent alarms from detecting smoke.
• Improper Placement: Alarms installed too close to kitchens or bathrooms may trigger false alarms, leading occupants to disconnect them.
• Outdated Models: Older smoke alarms may not meet current sensitivity or reliability standards.
• Physical Damage: Fire, water, and impact can render alarms inoperable.
Interpreting Forensic Evidence
The findings from smoke alarm examination must be considered within the context of the overall fire investigation. Factors such as the fire’s point of origin, time of ignition, rate of spread, and occupant statements all influence the analysis. Forensic experts work closely with fire investigators, electrical engineers, and manufacturers to reconstruct the scenario and understand whether smoke alarms played a mitigating or exacerbating role.
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We’re proud to serve the courageous men and women who protect and serve our community. The Dignity Memorial® Public Servants Program provides free funeral and cemetery services to police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians who fallen in the line of duty. Rely on us to help you create a personal, meaningful tribute that not only details life’s memories and passions, but also honours your legacy of service and commitment.
We’re proud to serve the courageous men and women who protect and serve our community. The Dignity Memorial® Public Servants Program provides free funeral and cemetery services to police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians who have fallen in the line of duty. Rely on us to help you create a personal, meaningful tribute that not only details life’s memories and passions, but also honours your legacy of service and commitment.
also honours your legacy of service and commitment.
We’re proud to serve the courageous men and women who protect and serve our community. The Dignity Memorial® Public Servants Program provides free funeral and cemetery services to police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians who have fallen in the line of duty. Rely on us to help you create a personal, meaningful tribute that not only details life’s memories and passions, but also honours your legacy of service and commitment.
and women who protect and serve our community. The
Acoustic Smoke Agglomeration
Soot deposits on the smoke alarms themselves and protective patterns, indicating where a smoke alarm was previously installed, can also provide clues to the investigator. A phenomenon known as, “acoustic soot agglomeration” can provide evidence that the smoke alarm did indeed provide audible warning at the time of the fire. The mechanical vibration of the sounding horn will cause a characteristic accumulation of soot deposits surrounding the openings for the sounding horn on the alarm housing.
Challenges in Forensic Smoke Alarm Analysis
The forensic examination of smoke alarms is not without its challenges. Fire scenes are dynamic environments, and the intense heat, smoke, and water used in suppression efforts often destroy or alter critical evidence. Investigators must grapple with:
• Post-Fire Damage: Determining whether an alarm was operational prior to the fire or was disabled by the fire itself.
• Limited Data: Older alarms lack event logs, making it difficult to reconstruct activation times.
• Confounding Factors: Occupants may tamper with alarms, intentionally or unintentionally, before or during a fire.
• Fragmentary Evidence: Alarms may be destroyed or lost during suppression activities.
The Importance of Smoke Alarm Maintenance and Education
Forensic findings routinely highlight the importance of regular smoke alarm maintenance and public education. Many tragedies are preventable with simple actions: changing batteries annually, replacing alarms as per the manufacturer’s recommendations, and ensuring appropriate placement throughout living spaces. Investigators may recommend these measures in their reports, influencing building codes and public safety campaigns.
Legal and Regulatory Implications
In some cases, the forensic examination of smoke alarms carries legal weight, particularly in civil suits or criminal investigations, in addition to possible fire code charges. The presence (or absence) of working alarms can determine liability, influence insurance claims, and shape public policy. The Ontario Fire Code mandates smoke alarm installation and maintenance, and failure to comply may result in penalties or litigation.
Conclusion
The forensic examination of smoke alarms is an essential component of fire investigations, providing insight into the sequence of events and the effectiveness of early warning systems. By combining physical analysis, operational testing, and contextual interpretation, investigators can draw meaningful conclusions that inform public safety, legal accountability, and future prevention strategies. As technology evolves, the integration of data logging and smart sensors will continue to enhance the forensic value of smoke alarms, ensuring these devices remain at the forefront of fire safety.
Fire crews are an important, first point of contact that can provide firsthand evidence for verifying whether smoke alarms were present, and whether or not they were sounding at the time of arrival. Since Ontario mandated residential smoke alarms in 2006, countless lives have been saved. Sadly, when fire tragedies occur with deaths and serious injuries, the absence of working smoke alarms continues to be an often-cited contributing factor. Stay safe!
Figure 1-Acoustic soot agglomeration around horn openings
3 Bridlington Street, Scarborough, Ontario M1H2L2
Wayne Bridger President Paul Moffatt Secretary Eric Motton Treasurer
80 years later ! Pilgrimage to Holland
On a beautiful spring day, our plane landed at Schiphol Airport in anticipation of the tour with Ted Barris, a well-known Canadian author and radio personality. Ted has dedicated his life to remembering Canada’s historical involvement in wars and the conflicts that Canadian and Allied armed forces were part of, thus forming our place in history books. My story is from what I learned from my father, and my personal travels throughout Europe in the past, and this tour. He was the youngest child of five and a Canadian soldier who fought for his country proudly but left behind a wife and three children to put service before self, through an unwavering dedication to his country.
The liberation of the Netherlands has become historically known as the liberation of the last country of which the Nazis held territory, prior to the signing of the declaration, thus marking the
end of WW2 and resulting in the surrendering of the occupied land back to the Dutch and the rest of Europe. The Netherlands was the one country in WW2 where every Canadian Regiment congregated and initiated the final push that removed the German armed forces, which resulted in the final surrender.
In the Spring of 1945, after the liberation of France, the Allied forces were making their way north through Belgium and Holland with a sense that they were winning the war and the end was near. Great hope and optimism travelled through the troops; however, the enemy was not giving up without heavy defenses.
My father’s regiment, The Perth, although not part of the D-Day invasion, was one of the many allied regiments fighting through Italy while at the same time encountering some of Hitler’s top brigades.
The eventual defeat and liberation of an important strong hold for Germany (The Gothic Line) was accomplished by the “D-Day Dodgers”. This major victory was much maligned by the invasion that took place on the shores of Normandy. After devastating losses of life and destruction of the Italian countryside, the allied forces (including the Toronto Irish and the Perth, to name a few) travelled through the north of Italy and into France and Belgium with little resistance. The efforts and sacrifices of the Americans and the other British Allied
forces had forged through liberating France and most of Belgium before entering the Netherlands. By the end of March, leading into the first of April, with all the Canadian Regiments meeting up, it was decided that the Canadians would continue to the northern part of Holland and drive out the remaining German forces. The Perth Regiment, The Royal Winnipeg Rifles and The Cape Breton Highlanders were tasked with reclaiming the Delfzijl Pocket, which was a vital seaport in the northern sector of the Netherlands. This was the most intense fighting these regiments would face since their time in Italy. During the final weeks of April, leading up to the surrender signing in the first week of May, they encountered heavy shelling from an offshore German navel gunnery and ground battalions trying not to give up ground before being driven back across the river to Germany.
This was part of Canada’s greatest combined efforts in the quest for freedom for the Dutch and liberation from the occupied lands and towns that they so proudly owned. On a plaque in Stefanuskerk (Stephen Church), in the town of
Holwierde, are the names of the soldiers who lost their lives in the final days of WW2.
All deaths in war are sad reminders of the sacrifice for peace and the heavy cost of freedom. The sacrifices of these Canadian heroes have never been lost by those who gained so much back.
The Dutch, to this day, still hold a very special place in their hearts for the Canadians who
came to their rescue. In my quest to follow my father’s Regiment's final weeks of combat, I was overwhelmed by the love and appreciation the people of the Netherlands (and in particular, the small town of Holwierde) had shown me, an offspring of a Canadian soldier, born nine years after my father’s return to Canada. My family is one of the lucky ones whose father returned. There are so many souls of heroes laying in state overseas and in two major Canadian War Memorial grave sites in the Netherlands, Groesbeek and Holten Cemeteries.
My wish is for every Canadian to visit these historic sites in the Netherlands to truly understand what freedom and sacrifice mean.
BY JAMES COONES, RETIRED TORONTO FIRE CAPTAIN
YouTube was founded; Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans; Xbox360 was released; No Stanley Cup was awarded due to a league-wide lockout; Chicago White Sox won the World Series for the first time since 1917; San Antonio Spurs were the NBA Champions; Edmonton Eskimos won the Grey Cup; New England Patriots won Super Bowl XXXIX; Tiger Woods won the Masters and Open Championship; Fernando Alonso won the F1 Drivers’ Championship at 24 years old; “Crash” won Best Picture Oscar; Star Wars Episode 3 – Revenge of the Sith was the top grossing movie; “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey was Billboard’s top song; Google Inc. (GOOG) was the top performing stock, rising 115%; Bill Stewart was Fire Chief; David Miller was Mayor of Toronto; Paul Martin was Prime Minister; George W. Bush was U.S. President; and the Premiere Issue of Fire Watch magazine was launched and mailed to all Local 3888 members.
The year was 2005, and what a year it was!
I was just thirteen years into my career at the time,
working out of Station 111, and had been elected to my first term as a North Command Executive Board Officer, starting on January 1. My youngest son was also born later that same year – I know, timing is everything.
Fast forward twenty years, and I have been retired from Toronto Fire for just over sixteen months now. My youngest son is in his third year of university, and after teaching himself Japanese over the past four years, he is getting ready to go to university in Japan on an exchange program. To this day, I am still listed as a “Senior Assistant Editor” and continue to be actively involved in each issue’s production. It’s a special moment for me to see Fire Watch reach its twentieth anniversary. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who has been involved over the years!
Fire Watch was the brainchild of Frank Ramagnano during his campaign for Secretary-Treasurer in 2004. Once I was assigned as the Chair of Membership Communications, we began to work together to make this idea a reality. A lot of thought and work went into getting this project off the ground. It was important to both Frank and I that Fire Watch be a professional, high-quality publication for the members, and not just another newsletter. We ended up contracting two separate companies. One took care of the initial design and branding of the magazine, the other handled the advertising, design layout, printing and mailing. We were able to negotiate great terms, as the magazine would cost us nothing to produce and distribute, and 3888 would also collect a flat rate commission for each issue from the advertising revenues collected. We ran a contest where members submitted potential names for the publication. I remember getting several great submissions, but in the end, only one could be chosen by the Membership Communications Committee, and Fire Watch was the clear winner.
The great thing about Fire Watch has always been that we can tap into our members and provide a platform for them to publish relevant, interesting content. We have always had such an interesting membership with diverse backgrounds, knowledge and life experiences to share. This fact is reflected in no better place than the “Member Profile” articles, written by retired Fire Captain Tony Macdonald. They have always been some of my favourite content, learning the incredible life stories and accomplishments of our members. Another popular issue with our members each year is the “Demographics” issue, where we compile and publish a plethora of TFS-tracked “on the job” statistics such as: staff complement by rank and age; a unit response summary that details the number of runs each apparatus performed the previous year; fleet purchasing status; age of the current fleet; operational performance; and the number of different event types ran – eg. fires, carbon monoxide, vehicle incidents, technical rescues, etc.
As biased as I may be, I’m not the only one who recognizes the value of Fire Watch. We have been fortunate to have been recognized with the following IAFF Media Awards over the past two decades:
2006 – 1st place
(Affiliate Publication, circulation over 1,000)
2012 – 2nd place
(Affiliate Publication, circulation over 1,000)
2018 – 2nd place
(Affiliate Publication, circulation over 1,000)
2024 – 2nd place
(Affiliate Publication, circulation over 1,000)
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of the members who have contributed, in any way, to Fire Watch. I would like to thank Bill Monson, who sells the advertising, and Bryan Middleton, who has been doing the graphic design and layout for us for as long as I can remember.
Thank you to Captain Ken de Jong, who I work closely with each issue. Ken has contributed numerous outstanding articles over the years, helps with proofreading, and even stepped up to oversee the magazine’s coordination when our Executive Assistant went on maternity leave.
A very special thanks and much credit must go to Suzanne Boss, Local 3888’s Senior Executive Assistant, who took over the Fire Watch lead from me when I was elected as Secretary-Treasurer in 2015. She is the person responsible for Fire Watch’s continued success and timely quarterly publications. She is the person who keeps everything “on the rails”. She sets the schedule, solicits the content, and works with our advertising salesperson, designer, editors, printer and mailing house. Without her, there may not have been a twentieth anniversary at all to celebrate.
I encourage all members to visit https://issuu.com/ local3888, where you can view all of the issues of Fire Watch and read through the evolution of our magazine.
Letter from the Editor…
So many topics touch on post-traumatic stress, however, one topic that is often studied with PTS, moral injury, does not. Both are very prevalent among firefighters, given the nature of their job, and both put firefighters at higher risk due to the trauma and exposures experienced on the job. While PTSD is a mental health condition, moral injury is not. Moral injury is a response to both actions and inactions that violate
one’s own ethical and moral beliefs. It can surface through guilt, shame, anger and lead to depression and suicide. Without going into more detail, I encourage you to read the well laid out article that follows, written by our own staff psychologist, Chris Rodrigues. The article provides a detailed definition, discusses emotions surrounding moral injury, comparisons to PTSD, symptoms, what to watch out for, and managing moral stressors.
Lynn Sciberras
Moral Injury
Introduction
Moral emotions are feelings that relate to our interactions with others and our concern for their well-being, extending beyond just our own survival needs. These emotions arise in situations where our understanding of right and wrong is called into question. For instance, we may experience guilt, shame, or embarrassment when we believe we have acted unethically or harmed someone else. Similarly, when we observe someone acting inappropriately, we can experience intense moral emotions, such as contempt, anger, or disgust, as a reaction to their behaviour. On the brighter side, moral emotions also encompass positive feelings, such as pride, which can arise from acting in accordance with our values, gratitude towards others for their kindness, and compassion for those in difficult situations.
Understanding Moral Injury
Moral injury is a concept originally developed to describe the psychological impact on military personnel who encounter situations that conflict with their moral beliefs. It represents a severe outcome resulting from experiences involving moral stressors. When individuals perceive that their deeply held moral values have been compromised in high-pressure circumstances, this can adversely affect their psychological, social, and spiritual well-being.
Moral injury often arises from actions or inactions that violate one’s ethical standards, resulting in significant psychological distress. There are two primary categories of moral transgressions:
1. Acts of Commission: These refer to instances where individuals take actions that violate their ethical beliefs. This might include participating in harmful activities or decisions that contradict their moral compass, leading to significant feelings of guilt and remorse.
2. Acts of Omission: Conversely, these occur when individuals feel they have failed to act in accordance with their moral principles, despite having the opportunity to do so. Witnessing a wrongdoing without intervening can lead to a pervasive sense of regret and ethical conflict.
Both types of transgressions can contribute to feelings of guilt, shame, and moral conflict, underscoring the profound impact of moral injury on an individual's mental health and overall wellbeing.
Experiencing moral injury can lead to a range of negative emotions. It may also cause individuals to have low self-esteem, be highly self-critical, and believe they are unworthy or bad. As
a result, people may engage in self-handicapping behaviours and lose faith in humanity. In terms of relationships, they may avoid intimacy and struggle to trust authority figures. Additionally, moral injury can lead to existential and spiritual consequences, including a loss of faith in religious beliefs and a diminished belief in a just world.
Perceived transgressions of moral values are common among first responders. Applying the concept of moral injury to your work with Toronto Fire Services, can you identify any strongly held moral beliefs that could result in moral injury if violated in your work? Could you provide examples of situations that involve moral stressors in your work? Some possible examples include domestic violence, child abuse, child neglect, child poverty, attending automobile accidents, assisting victims of sexual assault, elder abuse, unintentional errors that lead to injury or death, witnessing or failing to prevent harm or death, and transgressions by peers or leaders that conflict with your moral or ethical beliefs or expectations.
After a negative experience, firefighters may ruminate on what they could have done differently to prevent the incident from occurring. They may feel personal responsibility for the event due to their perceived failure to prevent it.
Firefighters are at a higher risk of moral injury due to their frequent exposure to violence, trauma, and severe injuries as part of their daily work. As a result, they often face difficult decisions, and fear making errors in judgment that could result in loss of life, leading to feelings of remorse.
Moral injury is not a mental illness
Moral injury is different from PTSD, although they are often studied together. Research shows that the brain processes of moral injury and PTSD are fundamentally different. Moral injury can make PTSD worse and can also increase feelings of depression and anxiety, raising the risk of suicide. Because of this, moral injury is seen as a significant risk factor for depression, anxiety, and suicide.
Symptoms of Moral Injury
Certain situations can trigger a range of emotions related to one’s moral values. These emotions may include guilt, anger, shame, regret, negative selfperception, demoralization, and self-blame. People may also struggle with haunting memories, feelings of worthlessness, powerlessness, and self-doubt. Additionally, witnessing injustice and systemic failures can lead to moral emotions directed toward others, such as outrage, blame, negative thoughts, feelings of betrayal, loss of trust, and difficulty forgiving.
Experiencing moral injuries can impact a person's personal, social, and occupational life. This may result in harmful behaviours and substance abuse. Moreover, social isolation can occur, which is problematic, since social support is crucial for coping with damaging experiences. Individuals who have
experienced moral injury may also face challenges in their relationships, reduced empathy, and difficulties in their work environments, including managing stress and navigating interactions with authority figures. Moreover, experiencing a moral injury can lead to a decline in motivation and a re-evaluation of one’s religious or personal convictions. It can also increase the likelihood of developing mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts or actions.
Individuals may hesitate to discuss moral injuries, due to potential social or legal repercussions, which can lead to increased moral distress.
Below are some symptoms that you should watch out for:
• Experiencing emotions such as anxiety, fear, guilt, or shame.
• Haunted by the decisions you've made and feeling demoralized.
• Feeling angry because of a sense of betrayal.
• Feeling a sense of worthlessness, helplessness, and powerlessness.
• Holding negative beliefs about yourself.
• Experiencing a loss of identity and role.
• Questioning your sense of self and trust in yourself and others.
• Engaging in self-blame or blaming others.
• Self-isolation, avoidance, withdrawal from others, and relationship issues.
• Reduced empathy.
• Impairment in occupational functioning.
• Increased substance use.
• Suicidal thoughts.
How can we assist firefighters in managing moral stressors?
• Psychoeducation about moral stressors and injuries may help firefighters find meaning in their experiences, rather than avoiding or fixating on moral emotions like guilt or shame.
• Stress reduction activities include mindfulness, meditation, exercise, and tactical breathing.
• Seek support from your colleagues who understand your experiences. Peer support can be very beneficial.
• Foster a strong and resilient mindset by practicing acceptance and self-compassion.
• Recognize signs of traumatic or moral injury, including avoidance, emotional numbness, and feelings of shame. Seeking help early is highly encouraged.
• Positive self-care involves nurturing social connections, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and ensuring you get enough rest.
• Recognizing the moral dilemma and assisting each other in resolving any resulting moral conflict is essential. When individuals struggle to make sense of events that may cause moral harm, they face a higher risk of developing PTSD,
• Establishing an environment that acknowledges moral dilemmas and encourages seeking assistance can help identify and address early signs of distress.
• Concentrating on self-forgiveness and forgiving others for their moral transgressions can be beneficial.
• If you are feeling distressed or troubled, it is important to seek help from a professional.
Summary
Moral injury is a significant psychological phenomenon that affects individuals, particularly those in high-stress professions such as the military and emergency services. It arises from actions or inactions that violate one's moral beliefs and leads to profound emotional and psychological distress.
• Moral emotions are feelings related to our interactions with others and concern for their wellbeing, including guilt, shame, pride, gratitude, and compassion, which arise when our understanding of right and wrong is questioned.
• Concept of Moral Injury: Moral injury refers to the psychological effects experienced by individuals when they encounter situations that conflict with their moral beliefs, which can negatively impact their psychological, social, and spiritual wellbeing.
• Types of Moral Transgressions: Moral injury can result from acts of commission, where individuals take actions that violate their ethical beliefs, or acts of omission, where they fail to act according to their moral principles, despite having the opportunity to do so.
• Emotional Impact: Experiencing a moral injury can lead to negative emotions such as guilt, shame, anger, sadness, and anxiety, causing individuals to have low self-esteem, be highly self-critical, and engage in self-handicapping behaviours.
• Impact on Relationships and Beliefs: Moral injury can lead to avoidance of intimacy, struggles with trust in authority figures, and existential and spiritual consequences, including a loss of faith in religious beliefs and a diminished belief in a just world.
• Symptoms of Moral Injury: Symptoms include guilt, anger, shame, regret, negative self-perception, demoralization, self-blame, haunting memories, feelings of worthlessness, powerlessness, and selfdoubt.
• Impact on Personal and Occupational Life: Moral injury can affect personal, social, and occupational life, leading to harmful behaviours, substance abuse, social isolation, challenges in relationships, reduced empathy, and difficulties in work environments.
• Management of Moral Stressors: Assisting firefighters in managing moral stressors involves providing psychoeducation, engaging in stress reduction activities, offering peer support, cultivating a resilient mindset, recognizing
Chaplains Ted
30th Anniversary!!
The sun was shining, the camp was all decorated, and the volunteers were ready for the buses to arrive with all our amazing campers! Suddenly, in the distance, we could hear the rumble of motorcycles, and we knew the buses followed closely behind. The Red Knights Motorcycle Club escorted our buses into camp! Special thanks to Tony Cardinale (232-B) and East Command PC, Randy Smith, for organizing this for us! As the kids disembarked the coach bus, smiling from ear to ear, they hugged and greeted their fellow Camp Bucko campers and volunteers, with an air of excitement and anticipation for Camp Bucko 2025!
Each summer, Camp Bucko has a different theme. This year it was “Movie Star”. On top of that, it was our 30th Anniversary!! Camp Bucko is run by a volunteer Board of Directors, and planning takes all year. We wanted to make this the best camp ever to celebrate our 30th year in existence. Camp Bucko is always a super fun week for these special kids. This year, we brought in a bunch of special guests to enhance the week and make it a very memorable time. Toronto Ghostbusters, with a 30-foot staypuff marshmallow man attended Camp Bucko, along with Darth Vader, Storm Troopers, Captain Jack Sparrow, Black Beard, Wonder Woman, and Batman too. We also had some real-life heroes visit us - Toronto Police K9, as well as
Bancroft and Smith Falls OPP Marine/ATV division. Camp Bucko also had very special guests who were in the air. Thank you to 424 Squadron in Trenton and to Brad Power (225-D) for organizing the helicopter fly by. Also, thanks to 436 Squadron from Trenton for the C-130 “herc” flyovers. Visiting this year again, for the twelfth year in a row, was the Godfather of the Grill, Ted Reader, who put on the best meal for our Sponsor Appreciation Day! Speaking of our Sponsor Appreciation Day, Camp Bucko had some familiar faces attend from TPFFA Local 3888 and Toronto Fire management team. Without their support, Camp Bucko would not be nearly as successful as it is! Special thank you to Division Commander Davidson for all your support throughout the year! Camp Bucko cannot operate without our amazing volunteers, and 43 people donated their time for one week in August to ensure our campers had the best time of their year! We had nine Toronto Firefighters help as camp councillors this past August and we cannot thank them enough.
They are:
Aaron Alt 213-A
John Van Goetham 445-C
Shane Hall 133-D
Will Stroud 312-B
Shayne Boisseau 142-B
Lindsay Johnston 314-D
Sarah Howard 333-B
Sydney Hauer 333-B
Pat Hayter 331-D
BY PAT HAYTER, TORONTO FIRE ACTING CAPTAIN, FIRE STATION 331-D
In order for the above volunteers to attend the full week of camp, we needed help to cover shifts, and we had a great response from our fellow Toronto Firefighters in this regard. Thank you to the Toronto Fire management team for allowing us to get our shifts covered. Thank you as well to James McCreight for coordinating subs and to Chris Sornberger for the email notifications. We understand that many Toronto Firefighters cannot volunteer for the full week up at camp but still understand the importance of helping to cover shifts for those that can. A heartfelt thank you to all the members who donated 12 or 24 hours to help Ontario’s only camp for young burn survivors!
Thank you to the following Firefighters:
Davis MacIntyre
Matt Rayner
Joel Simkins
Bill Hawkins
Graham Dowd
Selene Mallone
Meghan Anderton
Bernice Halsband
Griffin Dubbeld
Chris Pallister
Paul Chapman
Rashid Rawdat
Jessica Lam
Connor Barrett
Aidan Richardson
Jeff Stacheruk
Trayce Shaw
Danny Bellio
Andrew Kennedy
Natalie Dean
Andrew Munro
James McCreight
Irving Quan
Marc Dunn
Photo Credit: Roy Janke and Dan Pearce
Camp week was the hottest week we can ever remember, but the crystalclear water of Lake Wannamaker kept everyone cool who entered it. A Camp Bucko record sized largemouth bass was caught, weighing in at 6 pounds and 2 ounces, off the main dock by a 7-year-old who has never caught a fish before! So many incredible moments during the week with personal bests in archery, climbing wall, high ropes on land, stand-up paddle board, swimming, and canoeing on the water! To end the week off, we had a Beaver Tails food truck park on the beach and give every person a celebratory 30th anniversary pastry!
A fantastic, fun and memorable week was had by all, with lifelong friends being made by campers and volunteers alike!
From the 2025 Camp Bucko Board of Directors, we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your support and commitment throughout the year. Without you, we don’t have a Camp Bucko!!
June 12, 2025 to October 20, 2025
Robert Franklin Thornton
Robert Allan Smith
Albert J. Berezowski
Blair James Thackway
Larry Kenneth Wilkins
Wayne Archer
Francis George Ley
Wayne Paul Ramsay
Thomas Findlay Bryce
David Palmer
June 12, 2025
June 18, 2025
June 21, 2025
July 10, 2025
July 11, 2025
July 19, 2025
July 20, 2025
July 21, 2025
July 26, 2025
July 28, 2025
Bruce Davidson
Robert Hugh Gordon
Ron Josephson
John Raymond Knight
Robert Henry Price
David Sanders
Philip Willette
Manick Noormahamud
Ross Stone
George Friar McCauley
July 30, 2025
August 5, 2025
August 12, 2025
August 12, 2025
August 15, 2025
August 25, 2025
September 14, 2025
September 18, 2025
September 19, 2025
September 29, 2025
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.
David Wilcox
On September 13, 2023, we lost Active Member Captain David Wilcox, at the young age of 61. Surrounded by his family, Captain Wilcox passed peacefully with love and support. Dave was married to his high school sweetheart, Lori. He was the proud father of Kara (Andre), Jennifer (Josh) & Matthew (Taylor) and the doting grandpa to Emily, Evan & Rose. The newest addition to the family, Winston, never got to meet his grandfather, but they would have both been over the moon with each other. Aside from his family, Brother Wilcox had a passion for firefighting. Before becoming a Toronto Fire Fighter, Dave served on the Tottenham Volunteer F.D and the Simcoe Rescue Squad. After almost 4 decades of service, he would become a founding member and lieutenant with Adjala-Tosorontio, and a training officer with Rosemont. This was a huge accomplishment for Brother Wilcox and was something that he was very proud of.
Captain Wilcox originally started with the North York Fire Department on March 27, 1995, and records show that David was designated Acting Captain on July 29, 2013, from P114C to T114D. Then on August 17, 2015, moved to P121C, then moved to P114C on September 19, 2016. February 25, 2019, moved to be the Acting Captain of P146C, then on July 13, 2020, David was promoted to Captain of T333B, where he was still assigned at the time of his passing.
In Honour of Captain David Wilcox, a Memorial Plaque will be hung up at TFS Fire Station 333.
Brian Coles
On February 12, 2025, Retired Acting District Chief Brian Robert Coles, father of our late TPFFA Brother, Captain Sean Coles, who passed away in June 2024, also from presumptive cancer, passed away at the age of 79.
ADC Coles was first hired by the Toronto Fire Department at the young age of 21 on October 7, 1966. Throughout the duration of his career, Brother Coles was always very determined. He loved to learn and experience the world of firefighting. He worked on a Pumper, an Aerial Tower and was a Captain to a Rescue. His experience and knowledge allowed him to be a great leader and an example to the crew’s equal, and junior to him.
Brother Coles was not only a true Canadian for the love he had for a good Hockey game, but he was also a family man who will always be remembered as a man of true strength, integrity and love. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He will truly be missed by all those who loved him, family, friends and the fire community.
In Honour of Retired Acting District Chief Brian Robert Coles, a Memorial Plaque will be hung up at TFS Fire Station 331.
Anna Kurylo
November 1, 1985 to August 14, 2025
Alessio Sinapi
March 11, 1968 to September 7, 2025
AUTUMN HOUSEKEEPING
Greetings All!
We hope everyone has had a decent summer. We expected the usual summer lull in activity this year, especially with the heat, but it was quite busy.
We continue to monitor our social media platforms and any direct requests. We also continue to attend as many events as we can. Our executive attended many of the events so far, and there have been some that we felt were “of note”. Disclaimer here: our information and commentary is based on the information at hand and occasionally we miss stuff. If there was an event that “should” have been included here, our apologies up front. We will endeavour to catch up in a future edition.
From our perspective, there were many events that have taken place. The two big ones were the L-3888 elections, and the retirement party for James Reed, John MacLachlan and John Blair. We felt both needed some recognition.
Like most elections, there are always some surprises. This one was no exception. We both sincerely thank the outgoing executive and committee members for all their support of our retirees over their term(s). We also welcome the incoming executive and committee members and look forward to working with them going forward. It’s important here to single out the two committees, Ceremonial-Bereavement and Benefits, who spent many hours on our behalf, supporting our members and their families.
For those who were not able to attend the retirement party for James Reed, John MacLachlan, and John Blair, it was quite an event. It was an amazing mix of management and labour, which is a huge tribute to the spirit of collaboration that has been carefully nurtured over the years. We sincerely thank all of them for their service and dedication and wish them all well in their retirement. While we are on the recognition bandwagon, we make
a shout-out here to all the original six retiree associations. They all continue to work hard behind the scenes in our support.
Your executive continues to gather as much information as they can. Having the information is useless unless we can pass it along to our members. Our RTFFA website and social media platforms are continually updated with as much pertinent information as we can gather. We appreciate the feedback we receive from our members.
This past spring, your executive established a number of goals that we wished to address going forward. Like most, many of our priorities have many moving parts, and we continue to navigate the challenges they present. We presented some at the spring meeting, while some of the items are still in the process of being revised. The most significant of our goals was the creation and presentation of our financial policy. Those who attended the spring meeting know that we received some good feedback, and we have put the document’s next version up for revision. It was our intent to have completed the next version for our fall membership meeting, but we have not been able to make that happen. We hope to have it ready for presentation at the Spring Meeting in 2026.
As stated in past issues, the RTFFA continues to report on the “hot topics” of the day.
Benefits still rank at the top of the list, with travel insurance bringing up the rear. We still recommend everyone joining The Municipal Retirees Organization Ontario (MROO). You can do so at www.mroo.org. Regardless of whether you need insurance or not, MROO is a useful way to stay current with the changes in our retiree world.
The question and conversations we have are usually with those that are “about” to retire, and those who have not made a claim in some time and have become unfamiliar with the process. We refer you to the “Bottom Line” below, for claims.
If at all possible, try and put in a “Pre-Authorized Claim” and then you will know where you stand. Keep all documents and then use the “Concern Process” to answer your questions.
Travel insurance also continues to be a regular conversation on many platforms. We warn all of our members not to assume that OHIP approval for “emergency medical care” is the same as travel insurance. This is not the case. After reading all of the fine print, you will find that there’s little or no actual travel insurance provided by many of our (12) retirement streams. Yes, there are some specific exceptions. Plus, there is still some belief that travel insurance is for “out of country”. We recommend this be changed to “out of province”. We strongly recommend to all our members that they not leave Ontario without travel insurance.
The Bottom Line!
Regardless of the claim, preferably before the receipt of the goods or services, make a pre-authorized claim though Green Shield Canada ON-LINE!
Keep all documents, get hard copies!
Get a yearly prescription beforehand, if possible, it’s easier to chat with your doctor
Should the claim be approved, then follow the process as required.
Should the claim be denied, download all of the documents
Find the 3888 TPFFA webpage (https://www.torontofirefighters.org)
You need not log in!
Locate the
Make the selection and follow the prompts!
This is the ONLY WAY to get one-on-one representation from a benefits rep.
The rep will advocate for you as best they can!
WSIB and ILLNESS TRACKING
We encourage any and all members, past and present to reach out to us with whatever information you wish to share. Further, if a member has passed, we are reaching out to the families to share as well. We ask that all requests are made by the members themselves or directly from the family. Anyone who contacts us will be forwarded to our WSIB Group. Even if the cancer is not on the current list, we are asking for all members to share, so that we have case material to help add future illnesses for review.
The Next RTFFA membership meeting will be held on October 30, 2025, at the Union Office. Please consider attending.
RTFFA Membership
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 and we will be holding two general membership meetings each year. One in the spring, where you can sign up and/or pay your dues in person, and another in the fall. Meetings will involve food and fellowship, what could be better! Come join us and Be Well.
Don’t forget to follow our Social Media Feeds:
On The web: https://www.retiredtorontofirefighters.org/ On Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TFSRetirees On Twitter : https://x.com/tfsretirees
President Alan Thomas - Secretary/Treasurer Mike Neely
- Al Falkner - Alan Hall - Ron Coates - Chuck West
Fit to SURVIVE
The fire fighter’s guide to health and nutrition
IS ZONE 2 TRAINING NECESSARY FOR HEALTH OR PERFORMANCE?
BY ALEX BOERSMA, RETIRED TORONTO FIRE CAPTAIN
Get on a bike or treadmill. Set the intensity relatively low. Stay on for at least an hour. Never go too hard. Repeat at least three times a week. If possible, do longer and/or more frequent sessions. Follow this prescription for many years to achieve optimal metabolic health and endurance performance.
Or so the online health and fitness guru consensus would suggest.
I exaggerate, but only a little. A lay-consumer of health and fitness information would not be faulted for concluding that the kind of training described above, known colloquially as “Zone 2 Training” is THE optimal tool for improving both health and fitness. Specifically, it is touted as THE best way to increase mitochondrial content and function while, at the same time, improving the body’s ability to burn fat preferentially during higher exercise intensities.
All this despite the well-recognized fact that higher intensities are known to signal cellular adaptations
much more robustly than lower intensities. We know, for example, that running faster or cycling harder will activate more cellular signalling molecules than running slowly or cycling easily. One of the predominant exercise adaptation principles, the PROGRESSIVE OVERLOAD principle, stipulates that in order for cells to adapt to exercise, they require everincreasing levels of cellular stress. This is achieved primarily by increasing exercise intensity. Running faster. Cycling harder. Working more vigorously.
So the idea that exercising at lower intensities is a better way to achieve any kind of cellular adaptation contradicts what we know about how cells respond to exercise.
Two recent papers in the Journal of Sports Medicine have challenged the conventional wisdom around Zone 2 training, suggesting that it is by no means the only or the optimal strategy for improving mitochondrial function, fat burning capacity, or a host of other health and performance-related cellular adaptations. The first, a 2025 meta-analysis by Molmen et al entitled, “Effects of Exercise Training on Mitochondrial and Capillary Growth in Human Skeletal Muscle”, concludes that both higher and lower exercise intensities are effective for improving mitochondrial content and capillary density, but that higher intensities are two to four times as effective at increasing mitochondrial content per unit of exercise time.
The second paper, a 2025 review by Storoschuk et al entitled, “Much Ado About Zone 2: A Narrative Review Assessing the Efficacy of Zone 2 Training for Improving Mitochondrial Capacity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in the General Population”, set out to find evidence supporting claims for the superiority of Zone 2 training. Their conclusion:
“Current evidence does not support Zone 2 training as the optimal intensity for improving mitochondrial
or fatty acid oxidative capacity. Further, evidence suggests prioritizing higher exercise intensities is critical to maximize cardio metabolic health benefits, particularly in the context of lower training volumes.”
This is not to suggest that there are no health or fitness benefits accrued by performing moderateintensity endurance training. Certainly, competitive and elite endurance athletes seem to benefit from years of high-volume Zone 2 styles of training. Similarly, untrained and/or sedentary people can substantially improve both fitness and health just by completing 30 minutes a day of moderate intensity exercise. And anyone who wants to participate in any kind of endurance event will need to do some longer, lower-intensity training if for no other reason than to prepare their musculoskeletal system for the demands of their desired activity.
But what it does suggest is that, for the general population (people who aren’t hoping to run marathons, cycle around the Alps, or complete an Ironman), there is no need to perform multiple hours of low or moderate intensity training on a weekly basis. In fact, if you only have a few hours a week to devote to training, you will be much better off performing two or three short sessions of higher intensity work like threshold training, high intensity
interval training, or sprint interval training and mixing in at least a few sessions of resistance training.
What it also suggests is that, for those who do include some Zone 2 style workouts in their weekly training regimen, there is no need to slavishly control intensity. Some of the gurus out there make unsupported claims that going over a certain intensity diminishes or even negates the desired signal for adaptation. They go so far as to suggest that Zone 2 training should be done in a controlled environment, like on a treadmill or indoor bike, so that you never encounter a hill or wind that might force you to temporarily work at a slightly higher intensity. The evidence indicates that this is unnecessary. Enjoy your run or ride outdoors, and do not worry about a few hills or some wind.
The one caveat I would make though, is that Zone 2 workouts are meant to be relatively easy workouts that help you recover from your more intense exercise sessions. If you allow the intensity to drift consistently high, you will not get the recovery you need to allow you to apply higher intensities on the days that you want them. So, if you are using Zone 2 sessions to help you train for a specific endurance goal, remember to make your easy days easy so that you can make your hard days hard.
, TORONTO FIRE CAPTAIN, FIRE STATION 445-A
Thursday June 26
I am finally on my way to Birmingham, Alabama for the 2025 World Police and Fire Games. These games happen every two years and include Olympic type sports (track and field, weightlifting, team sports), job-related sports (such as shooting for police, and fire muster), and other random sports like cornhole, fishing and darts! I’m not expecting to podium because, while you only have to be a police officer or firefighter to register, there may be ex-Olympians or “almost pro” athletes next to you. But hey – I’ll just do my best and see what happens.
I arrived in the afternoon and checked in at the hotel. Then, I headed to the convention centre across the street to register. It was well organized and I got my credentials that allowed me access to my events, the athlete’s village, and the free shuttles for the week. I met up with my roomie, retired District Chief, Al Falkner. Al has been at many games, and it will be a pleasure to have a buddy to hang with. Al is here for golf, and I am here for Orienteering.
This year, I offered to be a coordinator for the TFS contingent. I secured some T-shirts for the participating athletes (thank you Local 3888) and maintained a WhatsApp group so TFS athletes could share their schedules, successes and social activities. I also happen to know the coordinator for the Toronto Police, so we tried to combine some of our activities together.
Friday June 27
Dear Diary:
Today was a pretty low-key day. The opening ceremonies are tonight, so none of the events have actually started yet. In the afternoon, I joined Al at the golf range for some practice, and we checked out the convention centre where there were a lot of vendors and athletes to chat with.
In the few previous games I’ve been to, there was some need to coordinate the TFS contingent, but this year was well organized. The organizers already had an area assigned for all Canadians, so we gathered there and started socializing while we waited to march into the stadium.
I really felt a sense of pride representing my country. There were so many countries grouping up and I’m sure they felt the same. To know that they were all either firefighters or police was also special because there is a natural bond of first responders. The high level of athleticism also added to the vibe – because you knew some had trained hard and long and were hoping to put in their best effort.
The highlight of the ceremony for me was at the very beginning. They had a bald eagle fly from one end of the stadium to a handler on the stage. What a magnificent animal! I’ve always loved eagles, and this was just super cool to me. The speeches were fine, but the energy and cheering of the athletes made it very special.
Saturday June 28
Dear Diary:
I wanted to support and enjoy as many TFS sports this week as possible and today went very well. Al and I enjoyed watching David Clarke (415-B) and Jason Marshall (431-B) compete in beach volleyball. We watched the TFS hockey team compete against a firefighter team from Calgary, and I watched the Toronto Police soccer team (which had three TFS members on it) play in the heat.
Speaking of heat… Birmingham, Alabama in the middle of summer is hot - and - muggy! So, to deal with this, Al and I hit the hotel pool (with a supply of beverages) just about every afternoon. Since the two host hotels shared a pool, it was almost always full of WPFG people. This made socializing easy and fun.
In the evening, the “athlete village” would open. This was a large fenced off area right beside our hotel, nestled under a freeway! It had everything from a stage, to games, to food and beer trucks. You had to have credentials to enter it, and there was good security as well (although who would try anything with hundreds of police around?)
It was well attended, and you inevitably saw Toronto people or other people you met through your travels. Again, Al and I brought “travellers” with us and really enjoyed the vibe of the village.
Sunday June 29
Dear Dairy:
Today I caught a game of Table Tennis (aka ping pong) at the convention centre. Angelo Gambrelis (322-C), who managed the hockey team, had also entered this sport. I didn’t know you could do this, but he hooked up with a guy from Erie, New York and they participated in the doubles category. They ended up winning a bronze medal together!
Another example of this was the lacrosse team. Several TFS firefighters were on an “Ontario” team that recruited a few players from here and there in Ontario. They obviously didn’t practice much together (if at all) and yet they also won a hard-fought bronze.
Numerous Toronto Police teams welcomed TFS members. The TPS has a more structured Athletic Association, and they had quite a large contingent there. They had included a social night for their members at a downtown pub and graciously invited Al and me to join them. Social functions are a big part of the overall experience at these games, and while there is some serious competition, there is also fun and camaraderie happening as well.
The camaraderie extended to a memorial ceremony for fallen police and firefighters. It was presented at the main stage in the village this evening and the stories of loss in the line of duty and the families left behind were very emotional. The organizers did a cool thing and created a “tree of life”. You could write the name of someone you lost in the service and hang it on the tree. The cards were colour coded to the service. I added a card for Sean and Brian Coles, who we lost recently, way too young to cancer, and felt good to do a small gesture for their remembrance. All of these efforts were a good reminder to appreciate what you have and remember the fallen.
Monday June 30
Dear Diary:
Today was my first of two events. My sport is Orienteering, where you are issued a map and run in either an urban (Sprint) or forested (Classic) area with a compass to find control points. Most sports divide you into male and female and then into an age category. Mine did so in five-year groupings. In past events, I was a pretty big “noob”, but I took the time over the years to improve my skills. I found out that there were only three guys in my age category, so if I completed the course, I was destined for a bronze.
It turns out, the guy from Brazil had a bad day and got a little lost on one point and I had a smooth day - so I ended up winning a silver! I’m not going to lie… I was very excited about this! It really shows that you never know what will happen on game day, and you should just focus on your own stuff.
Tuesday July 1
Dear Diary:
It’s Canada Day! I talked with the police association coordinator, and we wanted to do something special for Canada Day. Having said this, we weren’t exactly sure of the vibe about Canadians because, due to the political situation, there may have been some underlying issues with celebrating our Canadian pride. We kept it reasonable and adorned one of the picnic areas with dollar store Canadian flags and simply gathered in the athlete’s village as we normally did. It was such an international setting overall, that there were no problems with being Canadian (but we were ready to get our “elbows up” if we needed to, ha ha!).
Wednesday July 2
Dear Dairy:
My favorite experience today was watching dodgeball at the convention centre. This was another example of a “cobbled-together” team lead by Toronto Firefighter, Mike Lasiuk (144-A). He ended up recruiting Frank Racco (146-C), who couldn’t get enough guys for a soccer team, some Aussies, and a few other guys, and entered a team. With a quick training session and seat-of-your-pants play, they worked their way up the standings and won the gold medal! How exciting! It looked fun to play and was fun to watch, and the vibe in the convention centre was immense. It really drove home the purpose of these games – have fun, be competitive and make memories and friendships that will last well past the games.
Thursday July 3
Dear Diary:
Today was another chance to watch some high-level sports. Al and I took in the women’s softball game, which had TFS personnel competing on the Toronto police team. Again, you don’t know until you get to the games how your team will fare, but these ladies were top notch. Their opponents were from the LAPD, and their good team play and effort had them win the day. We learned later that they continued their winning ways and ended up with the gold. Very impressive!
This evening, Al and I attended a social night hosted by Belgium firefighters at a downtown pub. I had a chat with the guy earlier in the week and he handed me a leaflet for the event. I think he handed a leaflet to half the participants because the bar was packed! We were handed two beer tickets and worked our way around the room chatting with athletes from all over. Due to our social activities throughout the week, we recognized quite a few people and had a fun time.
I left a little early to catch the TPS gold medal soccer game and Al joined some Winnipeg athletes that were heading to another pub. We are no party animals, but if you like the night life, there was plenty of it. If you like things a little more low-key, there were always people hanging around in the lobbies of the hotels, or in the convention centre, etc. Some people brought their families and made it a vacation as well. I was planning some traditional tourist activities but never found the time to do them! Birmingham has one of the largest motorcycle museums, and we just didn’t get to it!
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Friday July 4
Dear Diary:
Even though there are two more days of competition, I had a crew social event back in Canada that I wanted to go to, so I decided to fly home today.
All in all, this trip was a blast. If anyone were to ask, I would highly recommend attending the WPFGs. They happen every two years and the next one is in Perth, Australia. Yes, that’s far away, and I’m not even sure if I’m going… but my heart says “yes”, and I hope my body and pocketbook agree.
If I do, I will definitely offer to be the coordinator again and will go with the same approach. Immerse yourself in all the activities, culture and social events you can. It’s what makes the experience the fullest.
Whytney Hooker 346-C Volleyball
Rob Howard 431-D
Ihor Iwanusiw 444-D
Josh Kramer 312-D Hockey Silver Mike Lasiuk 144-A Dodgeball
Filipe
Smietana
Insomnia and Mental Health in Firefighters
BY DAN HADEN, WORKN’FIRE DIGITAL PUBLICATION, RETIRED TORONTO FIRE FIGHTER
Insomnia isn't just about not being able to sleep; it's also about quality of sleep. Restful sleep is divided into patterns, and those patterns are important to physical and mental health. According to the Cleveland Clinic, sleep habits can be unique – some people naturally go to bed and rise early, while others naturally go to bed and rise late. It’s an important consideration in a world that sometimes 'labels' people with different sleep habits. Insomnia can be acute (short-term), or chronic (long-term) and either primary, meaning that it happens on its own, or secondary, meaning that it is caused by something else. About 30% of adults have insomnia and about 10% have the chronic type, which means that they meet the criteria for insomnia disorder. A diagnosis of chronic insomnia requires that the insomnia cannot be explained by circumstances that would otherwise disturb sleep, that the insomnia occur at least three times per week, and that it must last for at least three months.
Individual sleep patterns are inextricably linked to circadian rhythm, our unique internal clock that operates on an approximate 24-hour schedule and regulates many of our biological processes. Many things can affect sleep, e.g. caffeine, long-distance travel, diet, stress, medication, and shift work. If there's anything to know about sleep, however, it's that sleep should be regular, and it should be uninterrupted. A 2024 paper published on PubMed attempted to review "The Cyclical Battle of Insomnia and Mental Health Impairment in Firefighters." The authors quickly acknowledge the physical and psychological challenges of firefighting, especially, to their credit, the effects of a frequently and rapidly elevated sympathetic nervous system brought about by the "loud shrilling emergency alerting alarms". The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for our body's 'fight or flight' responses. The alarms combine with the otherwise constant state
of alertness required of firefighters to misalign the circadian rhythm and impair sleep in the station, as well as at home.
Proper sleep requires cycles of rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) about every 90-120 minutes. It takes about one hour to reach NREM sleep. According to the authors, "REM sleep occurs after slow-wave sleep and allows for emotional memory processing, while NREM sleep is required for optimal wakefulness and cognitive function the following day." The authors note that it's the NREM sleep which is required for the work of firefighting, but it's REM sleep that's required for firefighter longterm psychological and physical health. They suggest this as a possible explanation for the prevalence of insomnia in firefighters and its link to such mental health conditions as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. There are three questionnaires most often used in assessing sleep patterns in firefighters; the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and; the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Use of these, alone or together, in the firefighter population (active and retired) has resulted in findings of poor sleep quality in firefighters ranging from 52% to 73%. One study of Canadian firefighters found that 69% reported "fair" to "very poor" sleep quality, while 21.3% had clinical insomnia based on ISI scores. It's not really surprising that firefighters are more likely to experience PTSD, anxiety and depression. One study mentioned in the paper found that 53% of firefighters experienced symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and a meta-analysis of first responders found that 60% had mild anxiety, 27% had moderate anxiety, and 14% were severely anxious. The paper cites a study in the U.K. wherein 46% of firefighters said their mental health was a significant factor in sleep disturbance. Firefighters have
subjectively reported that increased stress yields increased sleep disturbance. In fact, the paper cites a National Canadian Mental Health Survey finding that firefighters with insomnia were 7.15 times more likely to suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder than firefighters who were not experiencing insomnia. With respect to depression, the authors suggest that the 12-month depression prevalence in firefighters can approach 40%, compared to about 6% in the general population. One study apparently sampled 169 firefighters who were exposed to a traumatic event, and found that 53.3% reported depression, and, more strikingly, 57% met the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis. There's an established, strong link between depression and insomnia. When one study mentioned assessed firefighters from the National Canadian Mental Health Survey, it found that firefighters with insomnia were 7.91 times more likely to suffer Major Depressive Disorder than firefighters who were not experiencing insomnia. The thinking is that insomnia increases depression risk by impairing emotional regulation. The authors also discussed PTSD, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), suicide and substance abuse, in each case finding an increased prevalence among firefighters, and linking symptom severity to sleep deprivation for each one except OCD. Specifically, the authors state that, "mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse, and suicide risk factors are often comorbidities of each other and with sleep disturbance."
Several considerations are offered as pathways toward the resolution of the mental health issues experienced by firefighters, especially those compounded by insomnia. Anxiety sensitivity, i.e. fear of arousal-related situations, can be assessed using the anxiety sensitivity index (ASI-3) and has a reciprocal relationship with mental health issues. This means that it may be useful as both a screening tool and as an intervention. This is especially so, given that anxiety sensitivity is also strongly linked to insomnia.
Emotional regulation, the ability to control one's emotions, and; emotional intelligence, the ability to recognize one's own emotions and the emotions of others then label them and use the information to make rational decisions, are both discussed as mediators. Some mental health symptoms can impair emotional regulation,
leaving people less equipped to deal with negative emotional states and, therefore, subject to disrupted sleep and insomnia. People with higher emotional intelligence may have blunted stress responses. Distress tolerance, a person's ability to manage negative emotional states, has been linked to mental health. Lower distress tolerance is associated with an increase in mental health concerns. The converse is also true, and firefighters with high distress tolerance had reduced risk for alcohol abuse. The authors found that, "Distress tolerance has been negatively associated with numerous other mental health concerns, including PTSD and anxiety."
The report includes a table that outlines the results of several interventions on mental health and sleep on full-time firefighters specifically, but overall the authors recommended regular high-intensity exercise as a suggested intervention for both mental health and insomnia – though even medium and low intensity exercises were better than none. With the exception of seeking professional assistance, it seems that exercise might be the single, most-controllable efficacious intervention that firefighters can do when faced with mental health and insomnia challenges.
Dan Haden is a retired veteran of Toronto Fire Services who, along with his two firefighter sons, publishes a national digital publication for firefighters. Free subscriptions are available at worknfire.ca
You can read the study at: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov and search The Cyclical Battle of Insomnia and Mental Health Impairment in Firefighters: A Narrative Review – PMC You can read about insomnia at: www. clevelandclinic. org and search Insomnia: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.
TPFFA’s Annual Family Picnic at Canada’s Wonderland
16th Annual TPFFA Charity Golf Classic at Royal Woodbine Golf Club
TPFFA Past Presidents:
Jim Lee, Scott Marks, Frank Ramagnano, Kevin McCarthy, & James Reed
If you have photos of your crew or a recent event you’d like to share with the membership, please email Suzanne Boss at the Association Office: sboss@torontofirefighters.org
Happy 100th Birthday!
Retired Toronto Fire District Chief, Donald Emslie, turned 100 this past July.
Brother Emslie was hired on October 10, 1947 and retired as a DC on January 18, 1988, after 41 years of dedicated service. He is a WWII Navy Veteran after serving with the Royal Canadian Navy from 1943 to 1945. Happy Birthday Brother Emslie.
The Toronto Blue Jays hosted and acknowledged the bravery of crew 143 “D” for rescuing a mother and her two children from their home despite incredibly challenging circumstance. Acting Captain Derrick Burke was honoured as he got to throw the first pitch at the September home game with his crew supporting him: Acting Captains I. Matchett, M. Henderson and S. Zigah.
2025 TPFFA Events:
PINK Campaign
October 2025
Ontario Fire Fighter Memorial at Queen’s Park, Toronto Sunday, October 5, 2025
Movember Campaign November 2025
Remembrance Day Ceremonies Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Annual Children’s Christmas Party @ Variety Village Saturday, December 13, 2025
Movember Battle of the Bands @ The Opera House, Saturday, November 22, 2025
Jr. Fire Fighters taking a break on the Trucks; Stn. 221
The Women of 415
On the morning of June 24, 2025, TFS Station 415 had the rare opportunity for all of the women of the station to be on duty together. Two were coming off shift. Six were starting shift. Two were recruits. Six are first class. Station 415 is their home; they are all proud to be from this hall.
Members from left to right:
Severen Fischer-Schmidt (PFF)
Marianne Dubur (PFF)
Jacqueline Irwin (FF)
Malory Gratzer (FF)
Kassaundra Bowen (FF)
Kaitlin Kirkpatrick (FF)
Krysten Robinson (FF)
Jessica Busch (FF)
President Smith, joined by Councillor Josh Matlow, at City Hall announcing a campaign to create Ontario’s first Burn Survivor Family Support Centre & Museum in the old Station 135 on Eglinton Ave
