Fire Fighting in Canada: The Podcast

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Jun 2026

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About the show

This podcast features fire chiefs and influencers talking about the latest trends and issues impacting today’s evolving fire service.

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June 5, 202623 min

The cost and ROI of firefighter mental health

Fire Chief Dallas D'Aoust is a strong advocate for mental health, leading an initiative that secured dedicated mental health funding for his previous department in Yorkton, Sask. In this month’s podcast he discusses the cost of mental health and what that means for today’s firefighters. D’Aoust has spent over 20 years in the fire service after beginning his career in Edmonton. Note: Since recording, D’Aoust has moved into a new role as fire chief for Cochrane, Alta.

May 1, 202619 min

Talking recruitment with the Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year

Tom DeSorcy sits down for a discussion with CAFC Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year Wayne Power, who has served as the fire chief of the Placentia Fire Department in Newfoundland since 1979. The two discuss how Power began his career as a volunteer firefighter, how his department’s recruitment and staffing strategies are shifting, his fire hall’s close ties to the Placentia municipal government, and why he’s still chief at 72 years old. This episode is brought to you by VFIS of Canada, a division of CVIS Incorporated, Canada’s largest insurer of firefighters since 1991.

April 10, 202628 min

Does daylight savings time matter?

Mike Harnett, president of Solaris Fatigue Management, and Steve Farina, a well-known advocate in first responder mental health who served 32 years in B.C.’s fire service, join Tom DeSorcy to discuss B.C.’s decision to permanently shift their clocks forward and the effects that sleep and fatigue have on a firefighters’ physical and mental health. This episode is brought to you by VFIS of Canada, a division of CVIS Incorporated, Canada’s largest insurer of firefighters since 1991.

March 6, 202624 min

Behind the scenes at BC Wildfire Service

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.

February 6, 202624 min

Looking back at the Jasper wildfires

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.

January 2, 202619 min

Cutting cancer risk

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!

December 12, 202530 min

Chiefs on the Hill: GR week unpacked

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. 

November 7, 202522 min

Sustainable funding in the fire service

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. 

October 3, 202521 min

Cancer prevention and PPE in the fire service

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.

September 5, 202524 min

What is mental mapping?

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.