Fire Fighting in Canada: The Podcast

Brian Hutchinson, superintendent of provincial operations at BC Wildfire Service, joins Tom DeSorcy to discuss his experience in various structural firefighting roles, how the second worst wildfire season affected B.C., how BC Wildfire deployed resources out of province to aid others in 2025, what he thinks is in store for 2026, and more. This episode is brought to you by VFIS of Canada, a division of CVIS Incorporated, Canada’s largest insurers of firefighters since 1991.

Tune in to hear fire Chief Mathew Conte’s harrowing experience fighting the devastating Jasper wildfires of 2024. Conte also touches on how the municipality has pushed past this challenging time, how wildfire fighting is ingrained into his department, and his own start in the fire service.This episode is brought to you by VFIS of Canada, a division of CVIS Incorporated, Canada’s largest insurer of firefighters since 1991.

Fire Chief Jason Cairney takes you inside Surrey Fire Services’ award-winning cancer prevention efforts. The three-part health initiative involves specialized education, cardiac stress testing, and advanced blood and urine screenings to identify risks early. Chief Cairney emphasizes the shift toward clean cab designs and on-scene decon. A critical component of the program’s success is the partnership with the local union, which ensures member privacy and encourages high participation rates. Tune in for details!

Ken McMullen, president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC), takes listeners inside their annual "Chiefs on the Hill" initiative, where a large delegate of fire chiefs meet with federal officials in early December to address policy implications for fire, emergency, and life safety across Canada. Tune in to find out this year’s hot topics on the Hill. 

This episode features Fire Chief Greg Jones of the Amherst Fire Department and president of the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia. Chief Jones discusses the release of the association's governance study, which is a roadmap for modernizing and strengthening fire service delivery. Chiefs will gain critical insights into key recommendations, including introducing consolidated legislation, implementing provincial training and fire service standards to ensure a minimal training level for every firefighter, establishing a better, sustainable funding model, and enhancing coverage for mental health and cancer prevention. 

Fire Chief Clarence Coolen shares his personal battle with cancer and how that experience motivated him to prioritize cancer prevention for the Hubbards District Volunteer Fire Department in Nova Scotia by securing new PFAS-free turnout gear for his entire crew — and securing the $170,000 budget for new safety equipment was no easy feat. This is one of several challenges of being a rural fire chief that Chief Coolen addresses, ultimately advising other small-department chiefs to advocate fiercely for their members' safety.

Former Firefighter Jess Ward, now a dedicated mental health advocate and CEO of Athinka, discusses navigating stress through “mental mapping” to navigate mental states. She touches on the critical difference between stimulus and response and emphasizes the importance of mental fitness and preventative strategies for fire service personnel, contrasting them with reactive approaches to critical incidents and highlighting the need for clear purpose and narrative in fire departments to maintain engagement.

Tune in for an insightful conversation with Brian Hutchinson, a seasoned veteran of the Canadian fire services in both wildland and municipal sectors. The discussion highlights Hutchinson's career trajectory and the evolving relationship between wildland and structural fire fighting, particularly in the context of the WUI and the increasing severity of fires. The conversation also explores the interagency agreement in B.C., which facilitates the deployment of municipal fire resources to provincial wildfire incidents. Finally, the interview touches upon the need for national standards and better integration of municipal resources in wildfire response across Canada.

Join us on this insightful podcast episode as host Ret. Fire Chief Tom DeSorcy sits down with Tim Pley, a former fire chief, past president of the Fire Chiefs Association of BC, and local government CAO, to explore the evolving landscape of the volunteer fire service. Pley offers invaluable insights into the challenges facing volunteerism today, from societal shifts and the 'gig economy' affecting recruitment, to the evolving expectations around compensation and the need for new leadership approaches. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the pivotal changes and future direction of the fire service, emphasizing that 'this is not your father's fire department' and leaders must adapt their methods to lead differently and value the time and contributions of younger generations.

Firefighter Anthony De Benedictis details his personal project, Firefighter Rescues Ontario, where he collected information from public sources to analyze rescue trends within the province. He emphasizes the importance of this data for improving training and operations. The conversation highlights the challenges and potential benefits of collecting and utilizing rescue statistics to enhance firefighter preparedness and public safety.

Hear from three Canadian suppliers — Marcel Syens, Principal Associate for Double Eagle Associates, Rick Suche, CEO of Fort Garry Fire Trucks, and Mark Biernat, president of Biernat Fire Feu — on the challenges fire departments in Canada face regarding procurement, particularly during the rapidly evolving economic uncertainty and tariffs in today’s world that could ultimately mean higher prices and longer wait times. For context, please note this podcast was recorded on April 16. 

This episode focuses on challenges and progress within the Canadian fire service, with a particular emphasis on the unique circumstances and evolution of Indigenous fire departments. (Ret.) Fire Chief Tom DeSorcy interviews Acting Fire Chief Michael Seth, providing insights into the history, current state, and future aspirations of the Six Nations Fire and Emergency Services, while also touching on broader themes affecting fire services across Canada.

Matt Pegg, COO of Warrior Health and retired fire chief, discusses the organization's origins and goals. Warrior Health emerged from Wounded Warriors Canada and aims to provide comprehensive mental health support and resilience training to public safety personnel and their families across Ontario. Pegg highlights the province's financial commitment and the program's unique inclusion of family support as crucial elements. He expresses hope that this model can expand interprovincially, emphasizing the importance of the program's independent evaluation and evidence-based approach. This episode is brought to you by VFIS of Canada. A division of CVIS incorporated , Canada’s largest insurer of firefighters since 1991. 

Are you prepared for the challenges of retirement? This episode of Fire Fighting in Canada: The Podcast explores the crucial topic of firefighter mental health during the transition out of service. Retirement can bring a loss of identity and purpose, disconnect from the fire service family, and a resurgence of unresolved trauma. This episode features captain Steve Farina, a leader in first responder mental health, who shares his insights from 30 years in Fire.Learn about the three phases of retirement, from pre-retirement planning to thriving in your post-service life. The podcast emphasizes the need for mentorship, succession planning and community connections for all firefighters, including volunteer and paid-on-call personnel. Don't let valuable experience and knowledge fade away; instead, create a culture of support from recruitment to retirement. Tune in to gain actionable strategies that will ensure thriving during and after service.

To kick off 2025, we’re bringing you an interview with Jim Jessop, the newly appointed fire chief and general manager of Toronto Fire Services. Join host and retired fire chief Tom DeSorcy as Jessop recounts his 30-year career, highlighting key mentors and experiences that shaped his leadership. He discusses significant changes in the fire service, including improved safety equipment and stronger fire code enforcement. Jessop addresses the challenges facing Toronto Fire Services, emphasizing collaboration and proactive well-being initiatives for his staff. Finally, he offers advice to aspiring fire chiefs, stressing the importance of teamwork and seeking diverse perspectives. This episode is brought to you by VFIS of Canada. A division of CVIS incorporated , Canada’s largest insurer of firefighters since 1991.

This podcast features an interview with Fire Chief Ken McMullen, president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, discussing current challenges facing Canadian fire services. Key topics include the increasing reliance on fire departments for medical first response, the importance of addressing first responder mental health, and the need for improved collaboration among federal, provincial, and municipal agencies during emergencies like wildfires. McMullen also highlights the CAFC's advocacy efforts, specifically pushing for a national fire administration and increased funding for emergency preparedness programs. Finally, he emphasizes the crucial role of volunteer firefighters and the need to better recognize their contributions.

In this episode, host Tom DeSorcy interviews Randy Schroeder, fire chief for the Town of Mayerthorpe & Lac Ste. Anne County and president of the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association. The conversation explores the challenges and complexities of maintaining a volunteer fire service, particularly in rural areas. The discussion delves into issues of recruitment and retention, acknowledging the increasing pressures on volunteers, particularly in light of the escalating scope of hazards and the growing demand for emergency services. Schroeder emphasizes the need for better communication and advocacy to address these challenges and the importance of cultivating passion and resilience within the fire service.

On the latest edition of Fire Fighting in Canada: The Podcast, Ret. Fire Chief Tom DeSorcy is joined by Steve Fraser, the co-author of the proactive mental health awareness training program for first responders Resilient Minds and a retired captain with Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services. The pair discuss the past, present and future Resilient Minds and outline how firefighters can introduce mental wellness training into their departments.