Presenters

Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General

• Guest Speaker at Opening Remarks

Mike was re-elected as MLA for Port Coquitlam in 2017. He was first elected as MLA for Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain in 1991, and re-elected in 1996, 2005, 2009 and 2013. He was appointed Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General in July 2017 and serves as Government House Leader.

Previously, Mike served as the Official Opposition spokesperson for Justice (Public Safety and Solicitor General) and as the Official Opposition Caucus House Leader.

Mike was raised in Port Coquitlam and has lived there for more than 40 years. He earned a bachelor's degree in geography at Simon Fraser University, and was elected to Port Coquitlam city council for three terms, in 1983, 1985 and 1990.

As an MLA, he has served in numerous cabinet roles, including as Minister of Health, Minister of Employment and Investment and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

From 2001 to 2004, Mike worked in Bulgaria, the Balkans and then Iraq on democratic governance programs to help build multi-party democracies in former one-party states.

Phil Lemire, President, Fire Chiefs Association of BC

• Guest Speaker at Opening Remarks

Phil has been with the City since 1981, was appointed Deputy Chief in 1996, and assumed the responsibilities of Fire Chief in 2005. Phil has been awarded the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs and met the equivalency requirements for the Fire Officer Level 4, Fire Inspector Level 2, and Fire Service Instructor Level 2 programs.

He completed the Local Government Leadership Development Program at Royal Roads in 2002. Phil has provided leadership assistance during the 2003 wildfires in the BC Interior, participating in the subsequent Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Review by the BC Fire Commissioner, and was an instructor at the Kemano Public Safety Initiative in 2001. In June of 2017, Phil was elected as President of the Fire Chiefs’ Association of BC, representing more than 350 fire departments in British Columbia.

Julie Nichols - Arbitrator & Mediator

• Presenter in Session #1: Session #1: Building Constructive Relationships for Bargaining and Beyond: Consequences, Impacts, Processes & Tools

Julie Nichols is an arbitrator and mediator working throughout BC.

She is a member and Vice President of the Arbitrators Association of BC, is listed with the Collective Agreement Arbitration Bureau, and is a member of the MediateBC Roster of Civil Mediators.

She assists parties in both unionized and non-unionized environments to resolve workplace disputes through formal or informal processes and offers work group and labour relations facilitation.

She works in a variety of industries and sectors, including: education, firefighting, forestry, health, hospitality, municipalities and manufacturing.

Julie lives in Vancouver, B.C. with her husband and two boys, who provide daily opportunities to apply her adjudication and mediation skills.

Jennifer Leyen, Director, Special Care Services at WorkSafeBC

• Presenter in Session #2: Health, Safety & Wellness: Return to Work Programs; The benefits to both Employees and Employers supported by WorkSafe

Jennifer Leyen has over 20 years experience working in the field of disability and rehabilitation. In her current role as director, Special Care Services at WorkSafeBC, she provides leadership to highly specialized clinical and case management teams supporting clients with catastrophic physical and psychological injuries. The core values that have guided Jennifer’s career and approach to working with clients are inclusion, independence and employment. Jennifer has a BA from the University of British Columbia, a certificate in disability management from the National Institute of Disability Management, and a Masters degree in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies from the University of Calgary.

Len Garis - Fire Chief, Surrey Fire Service

• Presenter in Session #2: Health, Safety & Wellness: Findings of Research on Cancer, Prevention, Best Practices

Len Garis is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice & Associate to the Centre for Social Research at the University of the Fraser Valley, a member of the Affiliated Research Faculty at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, and a faculty member of the Institute of Canadian Urban Research Studies at Simon Fraser University. As Fire Chief for the City of Surrey, British Columbia, his focus is on addressing public safety challenges through evidence-based decision making and innovation.

Len Garis joined the Surrey Fire Service in 1998 and has worked in the fire service and related fields since 1980. He believes strongly that long-range vision, planning and innovation can reduce costs, improve efficiency and ultimately enhance services and public safety.

Dr. Ian Pike, PhD

• Presenter in Session #2: Health, Safety & Wellness: Findings of Research on Cancer, Prevention, Best Practices

Dr. Ian Pike is a Professor of Pediatrics at UBC; Investigator and Co-Lead of the Evidence to Innovation Research Theme at the Research Institute at BC Children’s Hospital; Director of the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, and Co-executive Director, The Community Against Preventable Injuries.

His current research is focused on the determinants of injury; linkages between unintentional and inflicted injury as a means to creating a safety oriented culture; the efficacy of a social marketing campaign to reduce serious injury and death; and, the prevention of fire-related injury and death in collaboration with Chief Len Garis.

Steve Farina, Vice President BCPFFA, VP Coquitlam Local 1782

• Presenter in Session #2: Health, Safety, & Wellness - BCPFFA OH&S Presentation

Steve began his career as an on-call firefighter with the Township of Langley Fire Department in 1992 and five years later, joined the Coquitlam Fire Rescue full-time. He was elected to the executive board of IAFF Local 1782 (Coquitlam) in 2005 and was promoted to Captain in 2015. In addition, Steve is a VP on the BC Professional Fire Fighter Association (BCPFFA). He chairs both the BCPFFA's Health and Safety Committee and their Mental Health Task Force.

Steve is a member of Coquitlam Fire Rescue’s Critical Incident Stress Team and has taken the lead in defusing a multitude of critical incidents. He also serves as a Peer Supporter for his co-workers and has organized and hosted several mental health awareness nights for firefighter spouses and partners.

Steve represents the BCPFFA on the BC's First Responder Mental Health Steering Committee, chaired by WorkSafeBC.

John Iverson, Fire Chief, Prince George

Facilitator for Session #3: Breakfast Panel on Succession Planning

Joined the fire service in 1987, worked 25 years in suppression before moving into management as a DC in 2011. Appointed to Fire Chief in 2013

As an IAFF member I held various positions on Local 1372's Executive Board including the 6 years as Local President. I was also the Northern VP on the BCPFFA Executive Board for 6 years.

Ron Coulson, Fire Chief, City of Port Moody

• Presenter in Session #3: Breakfast Panel on Succession Planning

Ron is a 28 year member of the fire service, having commenced his career with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services is 1991. Ron rose through the ranks of VFRS including technical leads in auto-extrication, EMS & fireboat operations, suppression officer, fire investigator, training officer and lastly Assistant Chief of Occupational Health & Safety. As well, Ron sat on a number of Local 18 standing committees, until his move to exempt status. In January, 2017, Ron accepted the position of Fire Chief with the City of Port Moody, where he assumed command of 45 IAFF career and 20 volunteer firefighters.

Dave Piffer, Port Moody President Local 2399

• Session #3: Breakfast Panel on Succession Planning

Dave is a 17 year member of Local 2399. He has sat on the Local Executive board member since 2007, holding positions of Secretary, Vice President and currently as President since 2013. Dave is a Suppression Captain with Port Moody Fire Rescue.

Mike Carter, IAFF 6th District Vice President

• Presenter in Session #3: Succession Planning Panel

Hired by the Calgary Fire Department in 1999, Mike started his IAFF career as a steward of Local 255 in 2005 serving as a table officer and President 2014-2018. In December 2018, Mike was acclaimed as IAFF 6^th District Vice President Represents: Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territory, Saskatchewan, Yukon.

Mike's extensive experience with the IAFF has allowed him to successfully negotiate multiple collective agreements. He has been part of mediations, arbitrations, labour board issues, and human right issues. He restructured working committees within his Local with succession planning in mind. Mike served as a Field Service Rep, IAFF Fireground Survival Master Instructor, and has sat on the IAFF Convention Resolutions Committee and IAFF/IAFC Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Task Force. He has presented on Human Relations and Labour/Management at various conferences such as IAFF 6^th District Western and IAFF ALTS Conferences. In May of 2018 Mike was appointed by an Order in Council by the Alberta Provincial Government to the position of an Appeals Commissioner.

Tony Kirschner, Leaders International Executive Search

• Presenter in Session #3: Succession Planning Panel

Tony brings a comprehensive range of business, management, human resource and consulting experience to Leaders International Executive Search's BC office.

Tony first became active in executive search in 1988, when he was hired by a major U.S. recruitment firm out of Chicago. Tony was raised in Vancouver but received his university education in the U.S. where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at DePaul University and a Master’s and PhD in Communication at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Tony spent time as a Professor in Maryland before returning to Vancouver. Tony held senior HR management positions with PHSA, as well as with a North American environmental assessment company, before returning to executive search in 2011.

Tony enjoys the active west-coast lifestyle, spending his free time skiing, hiking, running and cycling with his family and three sons. He has participated in the cycling fundraiser Ride to Conquer Cancer five times and is dedicated to raising funds for cancer research. Tony serves on the Board of Directors for Family Services of Greater Vancouver and for Family Services of Greater Vancouver Foundation.

Darrell Reid, Fire Chief/General Manager, City of Vancouver

• Presenter in Session #3: Succession Planning Panel

Darrell's past public safety leadership experience includes Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, and Union President for one of North America's most progressive services, Strathcona County Emergency Services in Alberta, Canada. He was also a Deputy Fire Chief for Toronto Fire Services, Canada's largest and most complex fire and rescue organization. Chief Reid has specific expertise in operations, special operations, major incident command, technology, communications, EMS, analytics, and accreditation.

He is currently a Director on the Provincial Advisory Board for HSF Heart and Stroke Foundation British Columbia.

Darrell has an MBA from the University of Alberta, an Executive Fire Officer Designation from the US National Fire Academy, a Community Preparedness & Disaster Management Certificate from UNC-Chapel Hill, and a Canadian Safety and Security Certificate from Canadian Forces College.

Darrell is a successful entrepreneur, founding Emergency Services Academy, an accredited college for firefighters and paramedics.

Robert Weeks, President, Vancouver Local 18

Presenter in Session #3 - Session #3: Succession Planning Panel and Session #5: Case Studies On Labour Relations Panel

Robert Weeks has been on the Executive Board of his Local since 2009 and currently is the President of Vancouver Fire Fighters Local 18, a role he has had since 2014. Robert is also the Executive Vice-President of the British Columbia Fire Fighters Association (BCPFFA), the District Field Service Representative for the IAFF 6th District, Director of the Vancouver Fire Fighters Charitable Society, and a current trustee for a large Pension Plan.

Brian Catinus, President, Saanich Local 967

• Panelist in Session #4: Understanding Each Other's Challenges and Key Pressures

Brian has been with the the Saanich Fire Department since 2009. Originally serving as a director for the Saanich Fire Fighters' Charitable Foundation, Brian then joined the Saanich Fire Fighters' Association IAFF Local 967 Executive Board in 2013. He became the Local’s Secretary in 2015, then President in 2018. Brian sits on the BCPFFA IT and Database committees and is a Field Service Rep for the IAFF 6th District.

Karen Levitt, Director of Business Planning and Project Support, City of Vancouver

• Moderator in Session #4: Understanding Each Other's Challenges and Key Pressures

Karen Levitt is the Director, Business Planning and Project Support at the City of Vancouver, responsible for leading the City’s internal management consulting office. She has held various positions at the City over time, including Director of Olympic Games Strategic Planning, Deputy City Treasurer and Manager of Financial Planning. Her expertise includes business planning/advisory, strategy development, business case development, group facilitation, project management and business training. Her office leads over seventy business and strategy projects at any one time, and as well is responsible for developing and monitoring the City’s annual Corporate Plan, and for overseeing the City’s key strategic business relationships.

Paul Mochrie, Deputy City Manager, City of Vancouver

• Presenter in Session #4: Understanding Each Other's Challenges and Key Pressures

Paul Mochrie is the Deputy City Manager for the City of Vancouver. In this role, he provides oversight for a portfolio of direct service and corporate support departments, including Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services; Development, Buildings and Licensing; Arts, Culture and Community Services; Technology Services and Human Resources. Paul joined the City in May 2011 as the General Manager, Human Resource Services and assumed the role of Deputy City Manager in October 2015.

Paul brings to the City broad public sector experience, including time working with the provincial government, regional health authorities and employers' associations. Prior to joining the City, he worked with the BC Ministry of Health and led the development and management of commercial relationships between the PharmaCare program and pharmaceutical companies, retail pharmacies and pharmacy wholesalers.

Larry Thomas is a Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Surrey

• Session #4: Understanding Each Other's Challenges And Key Pressures
• Session #5: Case Studies On Labour Relations

Larry is a Chartered Manager, C. Mgr, CFO with 29 years’ experience. He is currently responsible for fire service Administration, Emergency Communications, Human Resources and Labour Relations. Past experience includes managing Operations and Training. He has an educational background in Science from Simon Fraser University and Economics from Douglas College.

Travis Whiting, Fire Chief, Kelowna Fire Department

• Session #4: Understanding Each Other's Challenges And Key Pressures

Travis Whiting is Fire Chief for the City of Kelowna. Prior to joining Kelowna Fire in 2015, he spent 8 years working with the Capital Regional District overseeing a number of rural Fire Departments, and regional programs such as Emergency Management, Fire Dispatch, and Hazmat. He is originally from Williams Lake, where he started his firefighting career as a Paid On Call member of WLFD. He enjoys being back in the interior with his wife and three boys, closer to family and many of his outdoor hobbies.

Karen Fry, Fire Chief, Nanaimo Fire Department

• Presenter in Session #5: Case Studies On Labour Relations

Chief Karen Fry has had a long career in Fire Services, starting as a dispatcher in 1999. Since 2017, Fry has been the fire chief in Nanaimo, where she has prioritized maintaining and increasing staffing levels in addition to the health and wellness of the entire fire department. Working collaboratively with Local 905 Firefighters, Nanaimo is seeing a positive shift in the engagement of staff, community outreach and value added service to the community.

Previously, Karen served as the Deputy Chief of Communications and the Fire Prevention and Education Division for the City of Surrey. Chief Fry is the deputy career director on the Executive Board of the BC Fire Chiefs, and member of the Canadian Fire Chiefs. She holds a degree in Business and Liberal Studies from SFU to supplement an array of leadership and fire officer courses.

Fire Chief Paul Scholfield, Delta

• Session #5: Case Studies On Labour Relations

Fire Chief Paul Scholfield, a long-time resident of South Delta, has dedicated his career to serving the citizens of Delta for 28 years. He began his career as a firefighter in April 1991 and worked his way through the ranks to become Deputy Fire Chief in 2010 and Fire Chief in 2018.

Mike McMillan, Delta 1763 President

• Session #5: Case Studies On Labour Relations

Mike is in his 15th year as a member of Local 1763. He has been on the Executive Board since 2009, serving as a trustee, vice-president and as President since 2016. Mike is a suppression fire fighter with the Delta Fire Department.

Mark McRae, President Surrey Local 1271

• Session #4: Understanding Each Other's Challenges And Key Pressures
• Session #5: Case Studies On Labour Relations

Hired by the Surrey Fire Service in August 2000. Mark became a Local 1271 executive table officer in 2010 as Registrar, elected to Secretary in 2012, and acclaimed as President in 2018. Mark has sat on resolutions committee for the BCPFFA, and has been integral part of Surrey L1271's union and charity committees.

Kris Anderson, Burnaby Local 323, BCPFFA FGS Coordinator

• Presenter in Session #6: IAFF Fire Ground Survival (FGS)

Kris has been a member of the fire service since 1991, proudly serving with the Burnaby Fire Department Local 323 since 1995. He currently holds the rank of Captain, and is involved with program development and implementation of the departments Fire Ground Survival/RIT program, Fire Ground Operations, Officer and Recruit Training, Driver Training, and is an active member with the BFD Rescue Task Force and Hazardous Materials team. Kris has completed the IAFF Fire Ground Survival Train the Trainer program, and is a member of the IAFF FGS Master Instructor cadre.