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E PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
very two years, the IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) holds its biennial convention, rotating between cities in Canada and the United States. In 2006, Toronto hosted the 48th Convention, and this year, in late August, Local 718 in Boston, Massachusetts, served as the host.
The convention is where members vote on resolutions and constitutional amendments that shape the future of our profession. Each local chapter casts one vote per dues-paying member. As delegates from Toronto, we represent approximately 3,000 of the 350,000 total votes across the IAFF. Notably, more than 80% of IAFF locals have fewer than 500 members, with up to 70% having fewer than 200. Locals like ours, with over 2,000 members, are entitled to seat ten delegates, each carrying a proportionate share of the local’s vote. Most voting is done by voice, with delegates signalling their position by saying “aye” or “no.” When the vote is too close to call, the chair will request a show of hands. This method usually suffices, but for particularly contentious or close votes, delegates can motion for a roll-call vote, requiring each of the 3,500 locals to approach the microphone and cast their vote. This process can take several hours and is used sparingly.
One of the critical decisions made at the convention is determining the amount each local pays to the IAFF through the Per Capita Tax. Going into this year’s convention, the monthly tax stood at $17.52 per member. To calculate our total contribution, we multiply that amount by the number of active members and then by 12 months. A 1-cent increase in this tax results in roughly $37,000 in additional revenue for the IAFF annually. Before the convention in Boston, our local contributed $630,000 per year. One of the first financial resolutions typically deals with adjusting the tax for inflation (COLA). During the 55th Convention in Ottawa, a resolution was passed making the addition of the COLA automatic, since it had never been rejected. This year,
the COLA was set at 58 cents, meaning we entered the week with an increase of approximately $21,000 already on the table. If passed, further resolutions proposed at this year’s convention would have added another 95 cents to the Per Capita Tax.
Resolutions at the convention are categorized into six groups, each assigned to a committee with representatives from the IAFF’s 16 districts. I served as the 13th District representative on the Policy Committee, which reviewed 12 of the 65 resolutions. The Committee meets before the convention to discuss, debate, amend, and vote on the resolutions under its purview, then presents its recommendations for adoption or rejection on the convention floor. My role on the Committee was to ensure that the perspectives and concerns of our local and district were clearly communicated. To prepare, our 13th District Vice President, Fred LeBlanc, held two caucus meetings before the convention to review each of the 65 resolutions. Additionally, I consulted with other large local presidents across Canada to inform our position on crucial issues. Some of the proposed financial requests raised concerns, as they seemed excessive or unnecessary given the already substantial COLA increase. Despite voicing these concerns, both in committee and on the floor, the majority of delegates favoured increased spending. By the end of the week, the Per Capita Tax had risen to $19.05, resulting in an additional $55,000 in annual costs for our local.
Elections are another significant part of the convention. General President, Ed Kelly, easily defended his position this year, while GST, Frank Lima, was acclaimed for another term. Our District Vice President, Fred LeBlanc, was also acclaimed. The final election affecting our members was for the position of Canadian Trustee. The trustees operate independently from the Executive Board and are responsible for overseeing finances to ensure compliance with the IAFF Constitution and Bylaws. They also hire the auditor responsible for conducting financial audits and
report their findings to the membership at each convention. This year, former TPFFA President, Scott Marks, ran for the Canadian Trustee position held by Alex Forrest from Winnipeg for 16 years. Scott felt it was time for a change, and your Executive Board was proud to support him throughout his campaign. We provided Scott with guest status at the Convention and offered one of our delegates to act as a scrutineer during the ballot count. I am confident that Scott will be highly effective in this role, and we were proud to back his candidacy.
On the first day of each convention, a memorial service is held to honour firefighters who have died in the line of duty since the previous convention. Hundreds of names from across North America are read aloud and displayed on screens in the hall during this ceremony. These names remain illuminated until the convention concludes.
This year’s convention in the U.S. featured speeches from both current Vice-Presidential candidates: Tim Walz spoke to the delegation on Tuesday, and J.D. Vance addressed attendees on Wednesday. Their participation attracted significant media coverage, including from CNN.
The convention served as an invaluable learning experience for firefighters across North America. Many of our delegates attended their first convention, gaining insights and skills that will contribute to our organization’s continued strength and continuity.
James Reed, President Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888
SECRETARY-TREASURER’S MESSAGE
It’s That Time of Year Again
Fiscal year-end (the end of the 12 month accounting cycle for our Association) is October 31st of each year. While we follow our proposed budget throughout the year with our monthly ‘budget watch’, year-end is the telltale sign on how we did compared to our proposed budget at the beginning of the year. The proposed budget is brought to the membership during the December General Members’ meeting where we present our financial prediction for each of the committees. Certain committees are easier to predict as they have fixed expenses, but then we have the unknowns. For these committees, we have to dig a little deeper and see what we spent in the past year and past years to come up with an educational prediction for the upcoming fiscal year. Past expenses are not the only factor in play here, we have to factor in increased costs to almost everything we deal with whether it be utilities, cost of event locations, supplies, travel costs etc. One of the things that help offset the increased costs during the year is the fact that union dues are based on the wage of a first class firefighter which means when we get an increase in wages, our Association budget gets a bit of a bump. For those of you not familiar with the Association’s expense policy, our union dues are 1.3% of first class fire fighter wages per person and is automatically deducted by the city on each pay period.
Now that we have looked at the fixed expenses, which are the easier of the projected expenses, we need to look at the variable ones. These would include such committees as Grievance, Benefits, and Ceremonial and Bereavement. Some people have asked why these committees’ proposed budgets sometimes differentiate greatly from their actual incurred expenses for the fiscal year. That is a fair question that I will try to expand on. Most of you should be aware that we have had a benefit issue that we have been fighting since Green Shield was announced as our new benefit carrier in 2017, moving away from Manulife. We stood firm
for our members when Green Shield tried to reinvent our benefit procedures and we have made some very positive progress since that transition, however when these unknown problems pop up, it costs the Association unpredicted costs. The Ceremonial and Bereavement committee budget fluxuates heavily depending on the number of members who have passed, as sad as that sounds, it is the reality of the accounting side of things. We can take an average cost over several years to get to a proposed budget amount, but we never really know what the year will bring. We, as an Association, have a responsibility to the family of the fallen member and our Ceremonial and Bereavement committee is there to assist the family emotionally and financially in some cases. Should an active member pass away, our Association’s Ceremonial and Bereavement committee will contact the family to offer emotional support, guidance if requested, and although not something the family should need to think about at such a trying time, financial support for the funeral arrangements. A Line of Duty Death (LODD), which we have seen all too often, expands our financial responsilbilties to the family and not all of our members are aware of what transitions. When a member passes from a recognized occupational disease, our Ceremonial and Bereavement committee, in conjuction with our Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) committee, starts the work to get our member recognized on four walls of honour: the Toronto Fallen FF Memorial located at station 334, the Ontario Fallenn FF Memorial located at Queen’s Park, the Canadian Fallen FF Memorial located in Ottawa, and the International Association of Fire Fighters’ Fallen (IAFF) Memorial located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I have been to the Colorado Springs event a few times and I can tell you that the IAFF does it big and does it right, so much so that we feel the families of those members being added to the wall should have the opportunity to attend and participate in the ceremony. The Ceremonial and
Bereavement expense policy allows for our Association to pay for a family member’s flight to and from the IAFF event as well as the hotel stay during the four day event. These unfortunate and unpredictable expenses contribute the the differential budget lines in this committee. Lastly, the Grievance committee can also fluxate year to year. The Grievance committee is there to support and protect our members when we feel the Collective Agreement language has not been followed resulting in a negative impact on our members. The committee also works closely with our Human Relations and Equity Intiatives (HREI) for situations that arise from all manors of infractions including member on member incidents. So, from a budget point of view, when the city and our membership behave respectivefully towards each other, our Grievance committee’s workload should decrease, reducing the costs incurred.
With all that being said, as of the end of September, we are financially healthy with 83.33% of the fiscal year completed and 69.55% of the proposed budget consumed. I would expect those numbers to get a little closer with September being a heavy financial month for C&B as well as Bargaining. The good news, with thanks to our Bargaining team, our 2024/25 budget will increase 4.75% along with our first class firefighter wage.
Hopefully, you have a little more insight and understanding of what goes into a budget proposal and why the year-end numbers don’t always reflect the predictions.
Chris Sornberger, Secretary-Treasurer
Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’
Association
I.A.F.F. Local 3888
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VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
As fall is around the corner and we head into the last stretch of 2024, now is as good a time as ever to reflect on what we have accomplished as an Association and our goals moving forward on behalf of our members.
To state that we have had a full calendar thus far is an understatement. In summary, we just recently attended the Labour Day parade. A huge thank you to all who marched and for all the hard work from the Associations’ Ceremonial & Bereavement Committee, along with a host of others who offered their time barbequing, hosting the guests, and performing the daunting task of clean-up duty. Because of you, this event was once again a success.
Prior to the Labour Day parade, the Executive Committee attended the IAFF 57th convention in Boston, Massachusetts. These conventions never fail to humble us as we compare the stark reality between a Canadian firefighter and an American firefighter. Simply put, we are fortunate to have the labour laws that we do in our country.
There are some glaring differences between the two countries.
While at the 57th IAFF convention, one realizes how many states have right-to-work laws. Some members may not be aware of the benefits we have in Canada, and the meaning of the right-to-work laws in the United States. Currently, there are 28 right-to-work states.
The wording below is taken from labour law in the United States to illustrate what this actually means.
“In the context of labor law in the United States, the term rightto-work laws refers to state laws
that prohibit union security agreements between employers and labor unions. Such agreements can be incorporated into union contracts to require employees who are not union members to contribute to the costs of union representation. Unlike the right to work definition as a human right in international law, U.S. right-towork laws do not aim to provide a general guarantee of employment to people seeking work but rather guarantee an employee’s right to refrain from being a member of a labor union.”
While our Association aggressively fights for improvements to enhance benefits, increase pay wages, improve health and safety and job protection, the American cities in the right-towork states have full control over the future of their firefighters. Interestingly enough, we attended a Philadelphia convention a little over ten years ago. We met with the firefighters who worked for the City of Detroit. The conditions these firefighters were expected to work in were deplorable and unbelievable. So much so, that in 2012, a documentary was released called “Burn”, depicting the struggles of Engine 50, dealing with the highest arson rate in the country, the lack of funding from the city of Detroit, and the city facing bankruptcy. I remember meeting these firefighters and hearing their stories of working with damaged bunker gear, duct tape on the toes of their boots, and a fleet of equipment that would fail to meet our country’s health and safety standards. I highly suggest watching this movie. As of March 2024, Michigan is no longer a right-towork state.
On another note, our Association had a successful outcome by receiving the Arbitrator’s partial interim award, which gave us a 4.75% pay increase. Another important part of this award was an additional lieu day added to our collective agreement for Truth and Reconciliation Day. This will bring our lieu days per year to a total of 14.
We will soon return to Arbitration in October. We hope to make additional improvements through this process.
In closing, Toronto Fire has undergone an intensive transitional period with a mass hire, recruiting more than 400 new members over the last two years. All members must educate and mentor the latest members to maintain a solid and viable Union/ Association built and refined over the 26-year history of Local 3888. Safety is our first priority, and we must strive to keep each other safe in an unpredictable environment. We all want to go home to our family and loved ones.
The public recognizes and appreciates our profession. This is due to the professional and experienced firefighters working together to keep the public safe. Keep up the great work.
John MacLachlan, Vice President Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888
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CHAPLAIN’S CORNER
Doing life on “hard mode”
Doing Our Best in Diffi cult Times
IS CHAPLAIN’S CORNER
“What I feared has come upon me, what I dreaded has happened to me.”
uch are the words of Job, a character in the Bible who, in one day, lost ten of his children and all of his resources (7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 oxen, 500 donkeys, plus the tragic loss of most of his work force). To make things worse, a short time later, Job was afflicted with a painful skin disease that left him in the dirt as a broken man. His wife, having had enough, had this counsel for him, “Curse God and die’.
While Job didn’t curse God, all his sufferings certainly made him think about death. In fact, for a period of time, he longed for it, praying that God take his life. Such are often the thoughts of desperate and broken people. When people are going through hard times, it is vital to have supportive and caring people at hand, for we are to loan our strength to others in their time of need.
n the 1980’s, my parents bought my brother and I a ColecoVision gaming system. It was over $250 CDN at the time and each game was about $40. The games were short, but hard. Donkey Kong and Looping were some household favorites. In those days, there were no “easy” or “casual modes”. At times, the games we played were super frustrating and rage inducing; not to mention that the controllers were horrid in terms of ergodynamics and literally shredded the skin on your hands. When I play video games today (I have a Nintendo switch), I like to play on “adventure mode”. I just want to explore the make-believe world that is on the screen. I want to be entertained. I want to “roll through” all the enemies and bosses and to feel invincible. I don’t want the game to be a battle, or some diabolical stress test that raises my blood pressure and gives me a tension headache.
With that said, my desire for video games to be “easy” contrasts with how life feels at times. I’ve noticed, as I’m getting older, that it feels at times like I’m doing life on “hard mode”! At times, it feels like someone flicked a switch somewhere and ramped up the difficulty. Does it feel like this to you?
I’ve always found the account of Job and his sufferings to be a bit unsettling; particularly the line, “What I feared has come upon me...” I have a vivid imagination. It would not be healthy for me to ponder the worst things that could happen. So, how do I process what he said? Instead of burrowing down the rabbit hole of “what could go wrong”, I live with the understanding that, “Yes, life is fragile, bad things can and do happen, but I’m not going to
As for this feeling, I know that the challenges of aging are a factor. I also know that my exposure to all the world’s problems (courtesy of the internet and 24-hour news) doesn’t help either. We also live in a culture that doesn’t give us permission to properly celebrate major accomplishments and achievements. The mantra of our time seems to be “go, go, go” and “more, more, more”. It would be nice to be able to stop every once in
a while, and say, “wow, that was a lot of work; thank God things went well. Now for a little break”.
live with a spirit of fear”. Rather, I’m going to do my best to trust God, help others, all the while holding on to my faith, which speaks of a world to come in which there is no more suffering, tears, or death.
Why such a glum start to an article?
Sometime today, TFS Communications will take a call where the very worst thing has happened in that person/family’s life. After the call is taken, a fire crew will arrive at that person or family’s door, and they will witness for themselves what the communications call-taker heard described on the phone.
As awful a day as it is for that person and family, such is what the TFS, as a whole, is about. Helping people who might be having the worst day of their lives.
As for life being challenging and, in some respects, increasingly so, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, for Jesus himself said, “in this world you will have trouble…”. It’s true! Life has its share of troubles, and they sometimes seem to come in bunches. Here’s some of the challenges that I’m dealing with: saving for retirement, caring for aging parents, trying to be a good father, friend, husband, brother, trying to be faithful to my calling and faith in Christ, trying to take care of the church I serve, being a peace maker between various people I know who are having trouble getting along, trying to give good counsel when asked for help on tricky subjects, trying to keep a good attitude, trying to do a good job in serving you, trying to stay healthy, etc., etc.
Despite some of the horrible things heard and seen, and the toll that it often takes, it is a great privilege to come into a person’s or family’s life with the intention of helping them in their darkest hour. While it might not be possible to take away or even reduce someone else’s pain or trial, how and who we are in those moments that we are with them is of vital importance; the dignity and respect afforded, the compassion shown, the patience given, and going that extra mile. These things, which are called “soft skills,” can make
To manage the challenges of life (which I just can’t wish away), I realize that I need God’s wisdom and daily help, which I pray for daily. I also need to continue to make sure I get proper rest and nutrition. I try to take moments every day to do something for myself (some days this is difficult). I am attempting to maintain the practice of gratitude; for such guards my heart from becoming a negative person. These are just a few of the things I’m doing with God’s help to cope.
Now, with all that’s been said about life feeling a lot more challenging, it’s important for me to note and accentuate that there are also some great things going on. In the last year in our family, my wife and I have been blessed with a wonderful grandchild. Our parents have made it into their senior years and are doing fairly well. We have a
a huge difference.
To attend a scene prepared (and this involves all members of the TFS) and to leave a scene having done what was realistically possible given the circumstances, there can be great comfort in just having done that. Sometimes, one’s consolation will be this: “I/We did our best in a difficult situation.” That’s a win! To think to oneself, “I entered into this person’s life on what was their or their family’s worst day. I did what I trained for, and I did my best. I followed to the best of my abilities and my training. I treated the person and the family with respect, patience, and compassion. I worked well with my team. While I can’t change what happened or take away their pain, I did what I could.”
roof over our heads and a reliable car to drive around in. We have some good friends of all ages. We have some excellent role models who are a bit “ahead of us” in terms of “miles on the odometer” and who, by their examples, are spurring us on. We belong to a caring church. We have access to a pretty good medical system. We live in a free and beautiful country. We both know what we are supposed to be doing in life. We have a cuddly dog to cheer us up, a garden in bloom, and a million things in the created order that cause us to marvel and say “wow, God made that too”. I also greatly enjoy volunteering with you at the TFS; it truly enriches my life.
So, in conclusion, while it does feel like I am now doing life on “hard mode”, there’s also a lot of good and wonderful things that I am thankful for. I hope in your life that you can see the good things too.
One more thing. In the verse I mentioned where Jesus said, “in this world you will have trouble” - that’s not the end of the sentence. He continued, saying, “take heart for I have overcome the world”. As his follower, this keeps me going! Keep pressing on my friends; don’t let discouragement win. Thanks for all you do!
Helping, and being with people during difficult times, is both a privilege and a burden. Every member of the TFS family is a vital part of this. We are all working towards the same end/mission. As for the burden of service, it is impossible to “care without wearing”. Carrying our own load, plus that of others, necessitates monitoring and looking after ourselves so that our attitudes stay good and our mind, body and soul remain in a place which allows us to thrive, enjoy life, and continue to serve others. So please, look after yourself, and as you are able, ‘loan your strength’ to others in their time of need.
Thanks for all you do!
Toronto Fire Services’ New Fireboat
(Interview with Bill Walker, Senior Marine Captain, 334-A)
Introduction
“Roll the Heavy” is a series of articles to inform members of the equipment, capabilities and limitations of specialty apparatus, such as the Squads. In this special article, we are presenting the new Fireboat that is about to be delivered to the TFS. I sat down with Bill Walker, Senior Marine Captain at Station 334, to get a sneak preview of the new Fireboat and to answer a few questions about the TFS marine response capabilities.
History
There have been six fireboats that have protected the waters of Toronto.
• The Nellie Bly (1906 – 1909)
• The T.J. Clark (1909 -1923)
• The Charles A. Reed (1923 – circa 1963)
• The HMCS Rouille (1929 – 1943)
• The William Lyon Mackenzie (1964 – present)
• The Sora (2005 – 2015)
• The William Thornton (2015 – present)
BY KEN DE JONG, TORONTO FIRE CAPTAIN, 445-A
The Challenge
KEN: What are various services that the Fireboat provides?
BILL: The Fireboat performs search and rescue, is dispatched to all the waterfront fire responses, fires at marinas, waterfront properties, vessel fires, and provides medical transports (Toronto Island or patients on boats).
KEN: What about the ice breaking? Is that a courtesy for the harbour?
BILL: No, it’s a required agreement. We provide ice breaking for the ferry’s route, as well as maintaining our response route.
KEN: What are some of the challenges of a Fireboat response program?
BILL: The challenge for us is obviously the distance and time to get on scene (which is why we lobbied for a new boat!). Our jurisdictional boundaries include Durham and Peel (east and west) and goes out to the U.S. border, which is 12 nautical miles out.
KEN: Do you have jurisdictional agreements with police and the military SAR services?
BILL: Yes. We work in collaboration with Toronto Police (they technically have the water mandate), we work in collaboration with 424 Squadrons and Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton and Coast Guard assets (both auxiliary and commissioned). The Toronto Police and us would be utilized first in the immediate area and then they would send assets accordingly (for instance, a helicopter).
KEN: What would be your challenges with the weather? Where is your “line” for safety of crew, etc.?
BILL: The vessels are designed so that there is almost nothing we won’t go into. The highest “sea safe” is three metres. Obviously, it slows us down to arrive, but we will still respond.
The “New”Toy
KEN: I understand we are about to get a new Fireboat. What can you tell us about it?
BILL: It’s an improved, Class 3 NFPA Fireboat.
• It’s built by Metalcraft and is called a “Firestorm 55”
• It’s 55 feet long
• It will have a pumping capacity of 7,600 gallons per minute
• It has a roof-top turret with a 3,000 GPM monitor with a straight bore nozzle
• There is a second monitor on the bow and both are remote controlled
• There is a third and forth monitor (manual) on each side
• There are two, five-inch Storz connections on the stern
• It has twin, Caterpillar CAT engines with Hamilton jet drives
KEN:Does it have any “new technology” worth mentioning?
BILL: It has joystick control to let the jet drives “station key”, which minimizes some of the nozzle reaction when you use your monitors.
KEN: Does it have a name yet?
BILL: Yes… it’s going to be called, “Fireboat 334”.
KEN: When do they hope it will be put into service?
BILL: It’s slated to arrive in late October. There will be a training curve and the official commissioning (christening, etc.). Could it be in service late fall? Potentially, but I think it would be safer to say it would be fully operational in spring 2025.
KEN: Where is it being built and how was it designed?
BILL: The company is called “Metalcraft” and they are out of Kingston, Ontario. In the procurement process, there are two ways you can build a Fireboat. Toronto Fire can list all the needs categories they want to achieve and then a naval architect attempts to design the boat, or you can go to an already existing platform, which is what they had, which meets the NFPA requirements. Their model was an FS50, and we asked for a roof mounted FLIR (forward looking infrared camera), side scan sonar, fully equipped medical bench/patient transport area, an extra five-foot rescue platform at water level, along with a davit for four-point lift of an international basket.
KEN: Will the William Lyon Mackenzie be decommissioned?
BILL: No. It will be utilized differently. The Mackenzie will be treated like a “heavy squad” and the other boat will fill gaps where we can’t get into marinas. The other one will be able to go in directly. Also, we will run two boats a little more often on long weekends, etc.
The Approach
KEN: Perhaps as a refresher for those that don’t know, can you explain to us how the Fireboat operates in terms of assigned crew members, boost crew, paramedic members and special duties?
BILL: Sure. We staff a Marine Captain, a Fire Captain and a Marine Engineer. That is our core three. Then, we have two firefighters and a Marine Medic. At 1100 hrs, we get a second paramedic until 2300 hrs. That makes up seven personnel assigned. To be in the marine program, you apply for the Pump.
KEN: I’ve heard of a “boost crew”. What is the definition of that?
BILL: We still use that term, but the personnel don’t have to have the same level of training as the assigned personnel at 334. So, now it is only for a fire response, where the crew goes ashore for fire suppression.
KEN: So, what would you say are some of the routine duties of the crew that are special for the Fireboat crew at 334?
BILL: The crew are involved in the spring/fall maintenance of the fire boat (for example painting) and assisting with the maintenance of the small engine equipment (just like checking the equipment on a truck).
KEN: What kind of “special” duties would happen with the Fireboat?
BILL: For responses, all personnel are (or will be) trained to technician level for Ice Water Rescue and Surface Water Rescue. Obviously, the standby for the Air Show is a four-day event for us (and now we always put a second boat in service for response).
KEN: Do you have any other events that are like one-day regattas or other events on the water that we wouldn’t really hear that much about?
BILL: There is a fairly new thing called “rafting parties”. Groups get a permit to lash boats together (the last one had 200 boats involved). Once they are rafted and anchored, they can consume alcohol (except for the operator). We would up-staff and have the two boats operating and do more patrols for it.
KEN:Thanks for the information, Bill! It was very informative!
Want to Know More?
• G-WATR Water and Ice Rescues
• MA-DEFN Defined Words, Terms and Phrases
• MA-GENG General Guidelines
• MA-INRS Incident Response
• MA-OPER Operations
• MA-SARR Search and Rescue Response
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3 Bridlington Street, Scarborough, Ontario M1H2L2
Wayne Bridger President Bob Head Secretary Eric Motton Treasurer
A Pilgrimage to Visit Our Fallen
I hope everyone is having a great summer. First, a follow-up from our last article. Plans are in the works to consecrate our new Colour. Keep an eye out in late September or early October for details of the event. It’s looking like it will be epic!
Some may know that your author, on behalf of the War Veterans Association (TFFWVA), has been slowly working on a project, dubbed “Operation Never Forgotten”. The basis for the project was to ensure we had a good database of all our veterans since being organized as a Fire Brigade, up to and including amalgamation. We think that in this day and age, it’s important to preserve our history, and that history very much revolves around our people (in this case soldiers who served in any capacity). Recently, the project has surpassed the 500-person mark.
For those interested in military history, know that there’s a regular series of related presentations made at the Royal Canadian Military Institute (RCMI). Last year, there was such a presentation made, in conjunction with a book launch titled, the Battle of the Atlantic. The author, Ted Barris, is a favourite of many. The presentation was as amazing and just as insightful as all his presentations are. During the conversation, we learned that Ted Barris also conducted battlefield tours. A fact known by many, but new to some of us. His next tour was to be in the spring of 2024 and would encompass both World Wars and then some. Being in the minority of people who had not yet made a pilgrimage to the battlefields, many were interested in this and made note to follow up later. This has always been a Bucket List thing for me, and the possibility of making it happen became a project of its own. Further, it occurred to me that we might be able to visit our fallen firefighters, who never made it home.
The planning process for the trip began. What interested me about this, for my first trip, was the fact that the trip’s focus was not on any one regiment or battle but had a general historical theme for both wars. Having already done the research on our fallen, I needed to share my thoughts with Ted and see if the itinerary could include the visit of our fallen. As a
group, we were quite fortunate that with all of our members who served, we lost very few, the bulk of which were in the First War:
Blake (KIA) William, Edward 55378 10 Jun 1890 09 May 1917
France, Pas de Calais Vimy Memorial (Rampart B)
Ford (KIA) John, Lane 201792
29 Mar 1877 09 May 1917
France, Pas de Calais Vimy Memorial (Rampart F)
Caskie (KIA) Archibald 690867 09 May 1882 02 Sep 1918 France, Haucourt Vis-En-Artois British Cemetery I. C. 46
Kerrigan (KIA) Charles, H 28046 02 Jul 1893 24 Apr 1915 Belgium, Ypres Menin Gate Memorial Panel 24 Langemark, West-Vlaanderen,
Parker (KIA) Walter. V 405378 14 Feb 1878 13 Jun 1916 Belgium, Ypres Menin Gate Memorial Panel 18 Langemark, West-Vlaanderen,
Fisher (KIA) Fredrick. George 916244 30 Sep 1889 10 Nov 1918 Belgium, Bergen Mons Communal Cemetery X. B. 24
After some careful planning, it was decided that we could visit with all but Fredrick Fisher, who rests in Belgium, at the Bergen Mons Communal Cemetery. We were not able to fit this trip in, so we focused on the other five and will visit Brother Fisher on a subsequent visit. For those who have been over already, they had some previous experience; for me, this was a bigger deal, plus the fact that I joined the army at 17 and have been involved in the military on and off since then. This included my first trip to Dieppe, for which I was quite apprehensive. Upon getting my license at 16, I was called upon occasionally to drive our veterans home after military functions. Most, if not all of these men were Dieppe veterans, and now to see the actual battlefields was huge for me.
Tour Day 1 Wednesday, May 15, 2024, Overnight air travel from Toronto to Paris.
Tour Day 2 Thursday, May 16, 2024
Paris Compiègne Forest
Tour Day 3 Friday, May 17, 2024
British (Sword Beach) sector, Pegasus Bridge Museum downtown Ouistreham, British Normandy Memorial Views of Gold Beach Arromanches and the renovated Invasion Museum
Tour Day 4 Saturday, May 18, 2024
Invasion beaches, Canadian (Juno Beach) sector. Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer, the D-Day Academy Museum, La Ferme Billy restaurant in Rots.
Tour Day 5 Sunday, May 19, 2024
American sectors and explore the Omaha Beach Museum, Normandy American (Omaha Beach) cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, Point du Hoc, La Cambe War cemetery,
Tour Day 6 Monday, May 20, 2024
French seaport of Dieppe Blue Beach
Puys
Dieppe Theatre Museum in the town, Dieppe Canadian Cemetery
Tour Day 7 Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Battlefields of the Somme, Thiepval and Beaumont-Hamel Lochnagar Crater City of Albert Somme 1916 Museum
Romanesque Basilica. Arras.
Tour Day 8 Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Vimy Ridge Memorial and accompanying battle sites. Notre Dame du Lorette’s Remembrance Ring Nord-Pas-de-Calais) Hill 70
Ypres
Tour Day 9 Day 9– Thursday, May 23, 2024
Ypres Salient
Flanders district of Belgium.
Saint Julien (home of Brooding Soldier monument), Tyne Cot Cemetery (11,965 burials, 8,369 are unnamed). During the Great War, the city of Ypres was Cloth Hall
Flanders Fields Museum
Ypres Grote market or Grand Place.
Menin Gate
Tour Day 10 Friday, May 24, 2024
Ypres Salient
McCrae’s memorial on the Canal Bank at Essex Farm. Langemarck Cemetery, Passchendaele
Passchendaele Museum
Brussels.
Tour Day 11 Saturday, May 25, 2024
Brussels
Grand Place or Grote Markt
City Hall of the city, “meón boy” or Manneken Pis: Church of Notre Dame
royal court district
Lion’s Mound
Waterloo
Tour Day 12 Sunday, May 26, 2024
Air travel from Brussels home to Toronto
Having never been on any of these types of trips before, I had to rely on my networks and all the stories of returning colleagues, coming back from other adventures. Not wanting this trip to be cancelled due to lack of participation, I decided to post it on the War Vets Facebook page. Immediately, I was contacted by fellow members of the organization. Both Paul Moffatt and former Fire Chief Bill Stewart and his wife, indicated that they were signing up to go. Ted Barris, seeing that there were other members of the Vets attending, plus our project to visit our fallen, culminated in the Vets making this a formal visit. We planned over the next few months that we would bring our uniforms and some “swag” for the visit. Ted, having done these trips before, had many contacts in our key places. At the Menin Gate, he arranged for us to be part of the ceremony. Not only did we participate in the Laying of Wreaths, but we were also able to meet with the official hosts, including the famous buglers, who turned out to be members of France’s National Fire Service. This entire event still gives me chills.
The TFFWVA Contingent Laying
a Wreath at the Menin Gate
Many pictures were taken, many people were met, and many sites seen. It’s impossible to contain the entirety of the trip in one article. Personally, I highly recommend the Ted Barris Tours and the Battlefield tours in general. I am looking forward to the next one!
I thought that it was important to share some historical information and pictures of our visits with our fallen:
William, Edward Blake, Sergeant, 19th Batt Can Inf. (48th)
Hired TFD 19 Jan 1909, Station 3 Yonge St
Enlisted 10 Nov 1914 - Killed in Action 09 May 1917
Vimy Memorial
John Lane Ford
Private, 123rd Royal Grenadiers
Hired TFD 29 Feb 1901, Station 1 Bay St
Walter S. V. Parker
Private, 35th Batt CEF
Hired TFD 01 Sep 1900, Station 4 Lombard St
Enlisted 19 Aug 1915 - Killed in Action 13 Jun 1916
Menin Gate
TFFWVA Membership
Our membership drive is continuous, if you’re interested in becoming a member, feel free to contact us at tffwva@gmail.com. The dues ($25.00) are payable annually. Consider becoming a member!
Don’t forget to follow our Social Media Feeds: On The web: www.tffwva.ca
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TFFWVA
On Twitter: @TFFWVA
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tffwva
Enlisted 01 Nov 1915 - Killed in Action 09 Jun 1917
Vimy Memorial
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Letter from the Editor…
If you’ve ever felt silenced, you know it’s not a good feeling, a feeling of not being heard or of being excluded. This sort of takes me back to my grade school days being the new kid in the school with everyone having the ‘longer stronger’ voice than me. I strategized, and it didn’t take me long to fit in and have my own voice. I believe there are always a few who feel the ‘need’ to be heard, no matter the situation.
Exclusion is not what we stand for. On the contrary, we’re about finding something that includes others,
Lynn Sciberras
honing in on skill sets, connecting people with common or uncommon interests, and ideas – in a word, collaboration. While school is much about individual work, it’s also about group work or team play – it’s not fun at recess to be all about oneself in the schoolyard. Most sports are not even possible, and solo recreation, while an achievement, can get boring really quickly! Consider classroom learning: is it better when the instructor does all the talking and practical skills, or when students actively participate, engage, and attempt skills? Similarly, work on the fireground or in any support division would be impossible without teamwork, no matter our role. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts – with multiple attributes, there is synergy, and greatness is achieved. This is what psychological safety is about.
For more education on psychological safety, what it is, and its effect in the workplace, please read the following article, provided in collaboration by our Psychologist Chris Rodrigues, Adina Kaufman and yours truly.
Psychological Safety in the Workplace
(WRITTEN BY LOUIS CHOW AND ADINA KAUFMAN)
Psychological safety is an essential and fundamental concept that centers around creating an environment where individuals feel secure and comfortable taking interpersonal risks, openly expressing their ideas, and giving and receiving constructive feedback without fear of negative repercussions. It involves fostering a culture that encourages learning and growth from mistakes rather than assigning blame. This concept has been extensively studied and validated by renowned organizations such as Google, Navy SEALs, and Special Forces A teams, as well as by organizational psychologists and researchers.
So, what is psychological safety at work?
Psychological safety within a team is an essential concept that revolves around creating an environment where team members can freely express themselves and are empowered to do so without fearing negative consequences. This fosters respect and shared trust among team members, enabling an open space for individuals to voice their opinions, present fresh ideas, ask questions, and even acknowledge their mistakes without the fear of retribution. Psychological safety is fundamental for effective teamwork, as it empowers team members to take calculated risks and contribute their unique perspectives without the looming dread of judgment or adverse impact on their standing within the team.
A team operating in a psychologically safe environment significantly enhances its learning behaviour. Team members become more inclined to participate in discussions, engage in brainstorming sessions, and contribute to decision-making. This, in turn, leads to improved communication among team members, enhances problem-solving skills, and boosts overall team performance and cohesion.
The impact of psychological safety extends well beyond team dynamics, permeating overall organizational performance. When employees feel safe and secure in expressing their ideas,
thoughts, concerns, and perspectives, they are more likely to become fully engaged, committed, and motivated to contribute to the organization’s success. This paves the way for fostering better collaboration, heightened productivity, and a culture of increased innovation within the organizational framework.
Why is psychological safety important?
Psychological safety is essential because it helps increase employee engagement and motivation. Employees who feel valued for their contributions are more likely to offer their opinions and ideas. This, in turn, leads to better cohesion and decision-making, as people feel more comfortable voicing concerns and ideas in a true team environment.
Psychological safety also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and learning. When team members feel comfortable sharing their mistakes and learning from them, the organization benefits from their growth and development.
The term “psychological safety” was coined by Dr. Amy Edmondson, Harvard Business School professor, who defined it as “a belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns or mistakes.” A strong understanding of the importance of psychological safety in the workplace emerged from Project Aristotle at Google over a decade ago. This project aimed to understand the factors that impacted team effectiveness and performance across Google. Project Aristotle researchers spent two years studying 250 attributes of their 180 teams within the organization. They expected to find that the recipe for a successful team would be a combination of high performers, an experienced manager and unlimited free resources. They found out they were wrong. They found that teams with an environment focused on value and respect were the most successful.
How do you know if your team has it?
The following are some key factors related to team dynamics and environment to consider in your dayto-day work environment
Accountability: Is making a mistake on the team held against you, or is there an understanding that mistakes happen and are part of the learning process?
Open Communication: Are team members encouraged to discuss and address problems and challenging issues openly and constructively?
Diversity and Inclusion: Does the team foster an environment where people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are accepted and valued?
Risk-Taking: Is the team culture supportive of taking calculated risks, trying new approaches, and learning from successes and failures?
Support and Collaboration: Is it easy to ask for help from other team members, and is there a sense of mutual support and collaboration within the team?
Team Cohesion: Is there a strong sense of unity and collaboration within the team, and is everyone committed to collective rather than individual success and undermining each others’ efforts? The sum of the whole is greater than its individual parts.
Recognition of Skills and Talents: Does the team recognize, value, and actively utilize its members’ unique skills, traits and talents?
What Psychological Safety is Not
It’s not a democracy.
In a democracy, everyone has a say, and their opinions should be considered. However, fire services operate under a strict chain of command that must be followed. While input from colleagues and reports is valuable, the final decision rests with those in authority.
It’s not about being nice. While being kind and courteous to one another is certainly beneficial, it doesn’t necessarily equate to creating an environment of psychological safety. True psychological safety requires vulnerability and honesty, which can be uncomfortable for some. It requires a willingness to speak candidly about one’s thoughts and feelings.
How do you create psychological safety
Establish clear expectations
We can create a climate of psychological safety together by establishing clear norms and expectations, which gives a sense of predictability and fairness.
Foster open communication
We can also encourage open communication, actively listen to employees, ensure team members feel supported, respect individual differences, and show appreciation and humility when people speak up. It is important to explain why employees’ voices matter to ensure they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. Most people tend to hold back and stay silent, so we must override that instinct by clarifying why we need to hear from everyone and why their viewpoint is valuable and important.
Admit
your fallibility
As a leader, it’s essential to admit your fallibility, learn from your mistakes, and model respectful and open behaviour. Be willing to take risks and seek feedback.
Actively invite input
It is important to actively seek input from others rather than assuming they will provide it. Ask for and encourage thoughts and opinions on the matter at hand.
Respond productively
When responding to people, aim to be appreciative and forward-thinking. Replace judgment with curiosity. Curiosity opens up discussion, while judgments shut it down.
Embracing psychological safety at TFS
Psychological safety is a primary factor in determining team effectiveness and is critical in shaping future performance. It’s important to underscore that psychological safety is more profound than merely providing positive affirmations; it represents a mindset that promotes continuous learning, supports individual development, and cultivates an atmosphere of trust, respect, and open communication where team members feel empowered to express their thoughts and opinions freely. It is this kind of environment that allows all of our employees, from the newest recruits to the most seasoned veterans, to bring their full selves to work with an openness and willingness to freely contribute all that they have to offer.
CARNIVAL 2024 TORONTO’S
This year, Toronto Fire Fighters once again participated in Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade to celebrate the 2024 Caribbean Festival. The energy of the day was something that can almost be unexplained. It was an emotional energy that someone gets even when sifting through the photos of the day. You can literally feel the connection our members have within the fire community and with the public. There is a sense of pure joy and happiness. It’s a day to celebrate family, culture, love, lively Soca, beautiful costumes, and music.
Toronto Fire Fighters walked the route of the parade alongside brothers and sisters from other fire communities across Ontario and Quebec, such as Montreal Fire (Pompier - Securite Incindie),
Brampton Fire and Markham. All departments showed up proudly representing their fire service with matching shirts, but also waved flags that represented their Caribbean decent. There were waving flags from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Domenica, Guyana, and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines. And let’s not forget the Toronto Fire Truck that was driven by TFS BSN Chair and Caribbean Parade Lead, Toronto Firefighter Frank Jones. The truck looked fantastic. Not only did Frank coordinate the delivery for all the merchandise for the Caribana parade, but also was the designer of the logo/decal on the truck. The TFS BSN Committee also managed to book a DJ for the parade, who sat in the back of the fire truck and had his speakers hoisted on the roof alongside the sirens and strapped to the back of the truck so his music could be heard and danced to throughout the route of the parade. The entire set up was done seamlessly with assistance from our Radio techs @ Station 442 and PIO. It was definitely a party.
Since the first Grand Parade that took place in Toronto, in 1967, the evolution of Caribana has grown tremendously. This now three-week festival is North America’s largest cultural festival with an estimated attendance of approximately 2 million people, along with an estimated 1.3 million people who take in the Caribbean Parade. It is an annual event that culturally represents some of our members within Toronto Fire, and we encourage all to inquire, participate and attend events like these. If you are looking to come together with your peers and experience a cultural celebration that indulges in delicious foods, dancing and elaborate costumes, come to the Caribana Parade. You won’t regret it – Hopefully we’ll see you come out Caribana 2025!
Retired Deaths from June 4, 2024 to October 3, 2024
William A. Moores
Delmer Fredrick Calvert
David Lorne Cook
Ross Adams
William S. Rudychuck
David Roberts
Jeffrey ‘Jeff ’ Otto
Edward ‘Ford’ Sisson
June 2024
June 17, 2024
June 14, 2024
June 22, 2024
June 28, 2024
July 2, 2024
August 4, 2024
August 6, 2024
Robert Lembke
Stephen Joseph Cyr
Trevor Harris
Walter Stephenson
James Lawrence Hickey
August 10, 2024
August 12, 2024
August 13, 2024
August 15, 2024
September 5, 2024
Kenneth Orville Gray September 6, 2024
Jonathan Joseph Payette September 25, 2024
Robert Murray Spotton October 2, 2024
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.
William John Britton
On June 17, 2023, Toronto Fire Inspector William John Britton passed away at the age of 80 from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with his family and loved ones by his side.
Brother Britton was a proud member of Toronto Fire. He was honoured to be of service to his community throughout the duration of his career. He also had a passion for spending time with family and friends; they were his world. Always being present at functions and being the person who always welcomed the unfamiliar. He was such a likeable person who made others feel good about themselves. There was a kindness to William that exuded through his mannerisms and his tone of voice that always made those around him feel comfortable. It was a sad day when Brother Britton lost his fight to his disease, but he is at rest now. He will forever be missed and always be remembered.
In Honour of Fire Inspector William John Britton, a Memorial Plaque will be hung up at a TFS Fire Station.
Robert James Smith
After a courageous ten-year battle, our warrior Robert James Smith, affectionately remembered as “Buzz” or the “grumpiest firefighter ever” by his beloved ‘brothers’ walked proudly and pain-free through the pearly gates on August 9, 2024. His parents, Anne and David Smith, along with many loved and cherished pets, embraced his homecoming.
His loving wife Lisa and the light of his life, his inspiration to fight, daughter Autumn “Pokey” will forever remember his unconditional love, zest for life, humour, Cheerio’s strawberry please and very poor T.V. choices, especially when he found YouTube. Swamp People, Rust Valley Restorer, Sanctioned Ivan and the Ukrainian war have lost a huge supporter. Hell, he even watched “Too Hot to Handle” with Pokey. Rob was an East Yorker who at a young age, was introduced into hockey as a talented goalie; he quickly advanced and eventually was a player for the Boston Farm Team. His exceptional Hockey skills led to his firefighting career. Rob spent 30+ years as a firefighter, which sadly led to this presumptive cancer. Lifelong friends will remember his love for jazz music, tennis, fishing trips to the French River, the time he tried farriering, his beautiful blue eyes, being the Sunshine Boy of the year and hitting up K.C McFly’s, the local pub for a pint.
Upon retirement, Rob could be seen on equipment on various golf courses around Durham. By far, his favourite and most rewarding employment was his 12 years spent crossing children as a guard at various schools in Port Perry, his last being Cawker Creek where he made a lasting impression on many of the parents and children. He was that crossing guard who waved, laughed, and took an interest in how they were doing both in and out of school.
His life was full, yet ended far too soon. We will miss him tremendously and love him forever. In Honour of Captain Robert James Smith, a Memorial Plaque will be hung up at TFS Fire Station 332.
Fire Fighter Adam Lychak
August 14, 1978 – June 29, 2024
TIMES ARE A CHANGIN!
Greetings All!
We hope everyone had a good summer.
At the writing of this article, we were informed of the passing of our dear friend and brother, Trevor Harris. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends. We would be remiss if we didn’t make note of his huge contributions to the Toronto Fire Department Pensioners Association (TFDPA). His dedication and advocacy were tireless, and we will miss our weekly conversations. Further, we will miss the fact that Trevor and his TFDPA colleagues are our only link to the past. It’s with Trevor in mind that we write this article, mostly about pensions and benefits, which will always be a work in progress.
In this case, our collective past is important. We realize that some of this article will have been already printed in past articles, but we think it important to put them all in context.
Many of your Retiree Group Reps attend as many social and formal events as possible. Further, all of us do our best to share the wisdom gained anytime something of significance appears, particularly on a recurring basis.
Before we continue, we think it important to emphasize a point here, which might help in the illustration of just how complicated we are as a collective group. Plus, we think it important to make note of those who bargained on our behalf many years ago (over 35 for some) and did the best they could with the information and foresight they had at the time. Disclaimer - the times and dates are approximate, due to the diversity of each group.
In the beginning, there were six fire departments in Metro Toronto. By 1969, from a pension and benefits standpoint, most of the six were divided into two, making twelve groups (pre and post OMERS). Some of the later departments further divided the post OMERS into two more groups, the earlier being offered their original city post65 benefits or the New Health Care Spending Account (HSCA). At this point, it’s important to mention the Etobicoke Group, who negotiated a completely separate outcome for their sick-time and benefits. We’re up to fourteen groups now, not including the Retired Toronto Fire Fighters Association, which makes fifteen. Fifteen groups each with different benefit packages. To add a new dimension to this entire evolution, we also went through the amalgamation
process, now 26 years ago. Why this is important is because the process of amalgamation left us with some major and inaccurate assumptions. The first assumption was that the records from the former municipalities would be transferred to the new one, and that the records from our former labour groups would also be transferred to the new one! This folks, was not the case. Very little made the transition. A shoutout here to all of our Retiree Groups. We have all created a system of collaboration with Toronto Fire Services and Local 3888 to share requests for information amongst us all, and we think it’s working and serving us all very well. Another very important assumption concerns those in the Superannuation Pension Fund and our current LODD legislation. Those who negotiated the original Superannuation Fund, opted at the time NOT TO CONTRIBUTE TO WCB / WSIB! The fact that they did not contribute meant that they are not “eligible” for WSIB benefits. Further, and just as important, the current case by case “consideration” being given this group is a “courtesy” and not a designated benefit.
Thanks for hanging in here, we know this is long winded, but we think important!
Over the past few years, our group has noticed a new trend. Many years ago, when OMERS was new, they were seen as the “outlier”. With the exception of the Forest Hill Fire Department members who were already enrolled in OMERS, Superannuation Pensions were seen as the “one to have”. As our economy changed, this became less and less a reality. This caused the remaining group of non-OMERS (Metro) groups to negotiate membership with OMERS. OMERS is now the “one to have” and is serving us very well.
What we are seeing now is a benefit transition. We are seeing that the benefits enjoyed by some, if not most, of our original post-65 groups, are no longer meeting their needs and that the focus is shifting towards those with the newest group and the Health Care Spending Account. Please keep in mind here, this opinion is NOT based on any empirical evidence; just many conversations with members in all of the groups. A study or survey of this issue has been discussed, but because of the time period in which these old agreements were negotiated, none can be changed, and it would provide no new worthwhile information.
At this point, it’s important to re-emphasize the “technological divide”.
Many members don’t have computer access, and some do not even have a cell phone. We are aware that the current system of accessing and disputing our benefits is more and more difficult to communicate with and is forcing us online. While this is an inevitable, those in this predicament can reach out to us, the Retiree Advocates, and we will do the best we can with your claims.
The Bottom Line!
In this article, in all the previous articles, and in presentations made at our retiree meetings, we are still recommending the following! With the complexities of everything we have just discussed, it’s impossible for the small number of Benefit Reps from 3888 to be able to be knowledgeable with all our agreements. Further, you are not going to get timely information from the “system” by phone! Our recommendation remains the following:
Regardless of the claim, preferrable before the receipt of goods or services, make a pre-authorized claim though Green Shield Canada ONLINE!
Keep all documents, get hard copies!
If possible, get a yearly prescription beforehand (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
The new cancers continue to be a complicated issue. We encourage all members, past and present, to reach out to us with whatever information you wish to share. Further, if the 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. The union and any of its representatives will not reach out or solicit information. Anyone who contacts us will be forwarded to our WSIB Rep. This way, we can
ensure there are less gaps. All information shared will either be added to a members existing file, or a new file will be created. 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. All information shared is strictly between the member and our WSIB Rep. We completely understand the need for privacy. With the above checklist in mind, consider the binder’s importance should your or your loved one’s cause of death be covered by changes in the provincial legislation. It will provide the WSIB reps a wealth of information for the claim. Please Keep!
Folks, this is a very difficult issue to navigate. Some will remain unhappy with the service and benefits they receive. Please understand that the system, as it is, is all we have, and we do our best to advocate as best we can. Many of those who suffer frustration with the benefits they receive are caught in a change of society. Those who made the negotiations long ago had no way of knowing what services would be most needed today. They were all negotiating on our behalf and sometimes with limited and complicated information.
All of us will continue to advocate as best we can going forward. Its important to fact check your information to ensure that you are being served as best you can be, and we suggest our members exercise discretion when making social media posts, particularly in dealing with the privacy issues of others pertaining to their own medical challenges. We very much respect those who are wishing to help in our member advocacy, but all within the appropriate boundaries.
The Next RTFFA membership Meeting will be held on Halloween, 31 October 2024, 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://twitter.com/tfsretirees?lang=en
BY SUZANNE BOSS, TPFFA SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
To me, baseball is one of those sports that brings me back to a mental state of happiness; it just puts me in a good mood. It’s a sport that I’ve known all my life and have always enjoyed playing and watching. Not to mention, I grew up on a ton of baseball movies that my siblings and I watched repeatedly every summer vacation while my parents were at work. Before most of my friends and I settled down, we played in a softball league together (at East Point Park, funny enough), and the dugout was always where we felt most comfortable. At times, it seemed like we all grew up with the same passion for baseball movies because we consistently threw baseball quotes at each other when the situation called for it, which was most of the time. A few that never seemed to get old were:
“You’re killing me, Smalls”, “There’s no crying in baseball!”, “If you build it, he will come”, “Lollygaggers!”, “Juuuuust a bit outside”, “You’re the best thing to happen to baseball since Cracker Jack!”.
When I attended the Rob Penney Slo-Pitch Tournament at East Point Park this past June, where all the teams were members of Toronto Fire, it had a very positive energy. I believe everyone in attendance also experienced this same feeling, as it was
another successful four-day baseball tournament. We had roughly 200 ballplayers each day, with only one morning of soggy weather, but otherwise, the sun was shining bright, and the diamonds were dry.
This year, we had a volunteer Rob Penney Committee, which was a huge help. This committee met and discussed the tournament’s logistics, questioned past practices, offered new suggestions, introduced a new form of scheduling, and even had some sponsorship connections. I would personally like to thank those who volunteered their time to be on this committee, as it helped assist me and TPFFA Executive Officer Gerlando Peritore with the organization of the tournament: Al Falkner, Dave Pineau, Brent Weaver, Derek Richards, Nasteha Beinah and Matt Jennison.
Many of the teams registered did not disappoint. Team names such as Enzo’s Sheep, Run Forest Run, Fridge Carps, 31-B Kitsco Kids, One Hit Wonders and Couch Potatoes were some of the creative team names submitted, in addition to some pretty wild baseball jerseys. There were cameos of Fire Marshal Bill (Jim Carrey), Jason Voorhees (from the Friday the 13th movies), neon colours, and a sheep’s head. The effort was noticeable, and many of us had a good laugh.
On the tournament’s final day, we were lucky enough to have Keith Clarke, Director of Corporate & Community Partnerships at Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation,
Photo Credit Larry Thorne.
Rob Penney Slo-Pitch Tournament...Continued
come out and accept the proceeds raised at the Rob Penney in the amount of $20,000.00. Before we had the cheque presentation, Keith threw the first pitch to one of the games, had a moment of silence for all the LODD members who had passed, and then had all the teams participating that day come to the home plate for the cheque presentation photo. Keith was a great sport; he is also very familiar with baseball, being a player himself and coaching his son’s baseball team in Etobicoke. This cheque presentation was a very sombre moment, as we just had the passing of Active LODD member Captain Sean Coles. We were quickly reminded that if it were not for those members who suffered greatly from sicknesses initiated by being a firefighter, we would not be raising funds and participating in baseball events like the Rob Penney. Lastly, it should be acknowledged that the members who volunteered on the days of the tournament were the backbone of the event. Our BBQ tent was set up and the strongest it’s ever been. So well organized and run. The BBQ teams each day were seriously impressive, thank you. Thank you to those who ran around selling raffles and 50/50 tickets. Keeping score, registration, food tickets and Rob Penney merchandise sales – the list goes on. There are a lot of key elements to the days where volunteers are essential, and we couldn’t be more appreciative to those who came out and spent the days setting up and cleaning up. It’s tough work. So, thank you.
Thank you to all the umpires who kept the games moving and scored fairly. Your professionalism keeps the tournament running on time and to schedule. Thank you to all the team captains who organized a team, made payment and showed up on time. And we can’t forget the ballplayers themselves. All the athletes that showed up on the day of their tournament were ready to play. Everyone was happy to participate, donate and have a good time, which is all we can ask for. It was another successful tournament, and we hope to see you again at the ball diamonds in June 2025.
Fit to SURVIVE
The fire fighter’s guide to health and nutrition
The fire fighter’s guide to health and nutrition
CONSUMING HEALTH INFORMATION VIA PODCASTS
BY ALEX BOERSMA, RETIRED TORONTO FIRE CAPTAIN
Several years ago, I listened to a podcast featuring a well-known sleep researcher/ author being interviewed by one of my favorite podcasters. The interview was so compelling that I immediately began telling my colleagues that they “must” listen to it. I decided this information was so important that I would write an article in Firewatch about it. To prepare appropriately for the article, I bought the researcher’s book and read it in a matter of days. I was quite excited about the many “facts” I would be able to share with all of you.
Before I share facts in an article, though, I like to check original research to make sure the things the author is saying align with what the research says. Believe me, I have been burned on this before. So I went back through the book, checking references for many of the most compelling claims. And this is what I found: First, some of the most captivating claims did not have any references at all. Second, the references I did find were often not nearly as persuasive as the claims they were meant to support. I came away with the impression that the author had exaggerated many of the actual facts in order to advocate for his belief in the importance of sleep.
Many scientists don’t or won’t engage in
public interpretation of their research. There are probably many reasons for this, but certainly, the fact that most media are not interested in scientific nuance must contribute significantly. Researchers tend to be very humble, claiming certainty on very few particulars and answering most questions with “maybe” or “it depends”. Since most media consumers have little patience for long winded, detailed and tentative explanations of research minutia, it is left for media hosts (network anchors, journalists, youtubers, influencers) to simplify science for us.
This can go horribly wrong. Not just because these hosts almost never have the background to understand the nuanced minutia of science – this level of understanding is generally only attained through decades of actual research on very specific topics. But also, just generally because of the tremendous pressures to present a compelling story as well as the natural human tendency to want to confirm preconceived notions.
Health podcasters are no different. Although many have significant scientific and/or academic credentials, they are simply unable to have sufficient depth and breadth of knowledge to engage in detail over a broad range of healthrelated topics. Although they may have the time to discuss details and nuance, they are still governed
by the need to tell a compelling story that will keep their listeners engaged. And although they often portray an air of impartiality, they remain as susceptible to bias as the rest of us.
Case in point. The sleep podcast I listened to was hosted by a credentialed podcaster renowned for his breadth of knowledge on health. But since he didn’t have depth of knowledge in sleep research, he was in no position to authoritatively question the “expert’s” persuasive statements. The podcaster is a fervent believer in the health benefits of sleep, so everything the expert was saying confirmed his biases. And although there was plenty of time for nuance (the podcast went on for many hours), the interview turned into a sleep advocacy session and a sales pitch for the expert’s new book. Unfortunately, this experience is not unique. I listen to a lot of health podcasts, and I see it replicated frequently by many of my favorite podcasters and with many of my favorite experts. I have reconciled myself with the fact that it is probably unavoidable due to the nature of podcasting. The question, then, is how can we, as consumers, avoid misinformation pitfalls while pursuing our own search for health knowledge? Fortunately, there are a few things we can do. We can look for certain qualities in both our podcasters and their experts to determine the plausibility of their conclusions. And we can do our own due diligence, especially when we feel powerfully compelled by a line of thinking. Let me explain:
Qualities to look for in podcasters and experts.
• Humility. True health experts rarely feel justified in expressing certainty. They almost never make statements like “you must do this” or “you must not do that”. When asked by a host to confirm something, they will almost always qualify their reply with phrases like “it depends” or “yes, but”. Beware the expert who spouts a continual stream of certainties. Likewise, beware the host who turns everything the expert says into a guideline or protocol that can or should be used by all listeners.
• Critical thinking. Experts should be well versed in the scientific method, meaning they understand the power of bias and they recognize that very little is ever strictly proven. When asked questions about things that are not in their narrow field of research, they will always qualify with statements like “this is just my opinion” or “this is not my field of research”. Hosts should not readily succumb to sweeping generalities or unusual claims. When an expert says, “everyone must do this”, it is time for the host to apply probing questions instead of simply concurring and fostering such statements.
Due diligence
• If you find yourself so compelled by a health podcast that you feel you want to make some changes in your lifestyle or recommend others make changes to their lifestyle, then ask yourself a few questions. Is the expert a humble scientist, or have they gone from humble scientist to advocate for a specific cause? Are the suggested interventions or protocols actually proven to work, or are they mostly fabricated by the host or expert in support of their cause? Has the host interviewed the expert critically, or have they just gone along for an advocacy ride?
• When in doubt, do a little checking of your own. Start with a google search of counterarguments to the proposed claim. If there are no counterarguments, then the claim is probably on relatively firm ground. If counterarguments are found (and they usually are) then you may have to take some time to read them and balance them against what you heard on the podcast. Ultimately, you will still have to decide about who to believe, but you may actually learn something valuable in the process.
The TPFFA 2024 Annual Family Picnic at Canada’s Wonderland was one of our most successful picnics yet!
A luncheon with popcorn, ice cream, face painting, rides and roller coasters; what else could you ask for!? Thank you to all the TPFFA volunteers to help make this event possible.
2024 TPFFA Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Royal Woodbine Golf Club.
It was a very soggy day, as the City of Toronto flooded that week, and even though we had to call everyone off the greens, we were still able to host a social, do raffles and enjoy a good meal. Thank you to all the golfers who supported and sponsored the tournament. Hopefully next year will be sunny and dry.
2024 Ops. Recruit Class Boot Drive
TFS Ops. Recruit Class completed a very successful boot drive in August 2024 in support for MD.
TFS Communications Graduation
Congratulations to all the TFS Communications Recruits. On September 12, 2024, the newest members from Toronto Fire Communications had their graduation ceremony. There were 12 graduates from the 2019-2023 classes and 8 from the 2024 class.
The Annual Memorial Ride to Ottawa in support of the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation was another successful ride. The cyclists had their Toronto stop at the TFS Academy on September 4th, 2024, where they were welcomed and supported by their peers and enjoyed a good meal before they continued their ride.
During the month of September our membership was approved to wear the orange Every Child Matters epaulettes and t-shirt as part of our uniform. By doing this, our members are creating awareness and supporting the Truth & Reconciliation efforts with Canada’s First Nations people. On September 30th we were all proud to wear orange and thank everyone who participated in this emotional campaign.
Photo Credit: Samuel Gautreau / 2024 Ops. Recruit Class in training and supporting the Every Child Matters Campaign.
Exposed and Unprotected: Why Your Exposure Reports Matter
BY MATT HOLTOM, TORONTO FIRE ACTING CAPTAIN, 312-C
Post-Incident Routine: Where Exposure Reporting Fits In
The fire’s out, it’s the middle of the night, and you’ve just returned to the station. You still have a ton of work ahead of you: cleaning the truck and equipment, changing your bunker gear, and grabbing a shower to decontaminate yourself. You might also have a lengthy 01- Fire report to fill out if you’re the Captain. Exposure reporting may be the last thing on your mind. Unfortunately, it’s a chore that is easy to think, “I’ll do it next shift,” but then gets forgotten.
Before you know it, 20 years have gone by, and you’ve only submitted three exposure reports… yet, you know you’ve been exposed to harmful products of combustion dozens of times, whether through inhalation or skin absorption.
Why Bother With Exposure Reports?
You might be wondering why we emphasize exposure reports so much. Here’s the deal: your union needs a documented history of exposures to support you if you develop an occupational illness. “Exposure reports are an absolutely vital tool for us to represent you in a WSIB claim process,” says Rob Kular, Co-Chair of the Disability Management Committee. “Unfortunately, we’ve had members who spent decades at some of the busiest fire stations in the country fall ill but had only completed one or two exposure reports during their careers. This makes assembling a strong case challenging.”
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified our job as carcinogenic to humans. This means our work definitively increases our risk of developing cancers and other occupational diseases. In Ontario, presumptive legislation links certain cancers to our job, making it easier to claim workers’ compensation. However, many claims are denied because there’s not enough evidence to prove the exposure. That’s why it’s crucial to document every exposure, no matter how small it seems. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about ensuring you have the records to support you if you need them later.
Using Fire RMS to Find Historical Exposures
To help you document exposures from the past, your union has developed a guide that uses our Fire Records Management System (Fire RMS). This guide helps you look back at historical calls you’ve attended, sometimes going back as far as 20 years. It’s a great tool to help jog your memory and find the details you need for your exposure reports. The guide, “Using RMS to Find Historical Exposures,” can be found at www.torontofirefighters.org/ forms/. It walks you through using the RMS to review historical incidents that you were at and submit exposure reports for those past events.
Think about it: how many times have you inhaled smoke, absorbed chemicals, or been exposed to other dangerous by-products of combustion? Taking the time to log these exposures is a free investment in your future health and your family’s well-being.
The Process: Simple But Essential
When filling out exposure reports, here are the key details you need, all of which are available in the RMS report:
• Date of the incident
• Incident number
• Type of exposure (e.g., Smoke/Fire, Hazmat, Medical, Acute Psychological Trauma, Physical Trauma, Repetitive Stress, etc.)
The more details you can provide, the better. Notes like duration of exposure, name of chemical(s), and activities performed, will strengthen the evidence.
The guide shows you how to look up events by time period and type. This allows you to break down a career’s worth of exposure into smaller chunks. An approach like, “this shift, I’m going to review all my incidents from 2018 for potential exposures and submit reports.” can make the task more approachable.
Why It Matters: Protecting Your Health and Rights
Firefighting is a dangerous job and the risks don’t end when the fire is out. Toxic atmospheres can persist for hours or even days after a fire. We’re exposed to harmful substances like benzene, formaldehyde, and other volatile organic compounds. That’s why Toronto Fire Services (TFS) has implemented strict guidelines to minimize our exposure. These include wearing SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) at all times during and after a fire, decontaminating gear on-site, and specific procedures for handling dirty hoses and fire apparatus. These measures are crucial, but they only work if we all commit to following them - and to documenting when things don’t go as planned.
“Stand Down for Safety” and the Lithium Battery Challenge
Speaking of new risks, our recent “Stand Down for Safety” training focused on lithium battery fires. These incidents are becoming more common and present unique challenges. The rapid release of toxic gases during a lithium battery fire is not just dangerous but can also catch us off guard, sometimes before we’ve even masked up. Recent studies have highlighted the dangers of these fires, which release gases like hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride, and sulfur dioxide.
It’s For Your Family
At the end of the day, we do this job because we love it and want to help people. But we also owe it to ourselves and our families to take every precaution to stay safe and healthy. Exposure reporting might seem like just another task on a long list of things to do, but it’s a critical part of protecting your future.
So next time you’re tempted to skip that exposure report, think about the bigger picture. Should you develop an occupational illness, the last thing you’ll want to think about is, “does the union have enough evidence to accurately represent my history of occupational exposures?” If it’s been years since you last submitted one, why not use the guide at www.torontofirefighters.org/forms/ to look up your past exposures in RMS and document them while you have a quiet hour on shift? It’s about ensuring that if you ever need to make a claim, you and your union have the records to back it up. It’s about making sure you and your family are taken care of.
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, and Submit Your Damn Exposure Reports!
IN
IN CELEBRATION OF MY RETIREMENT AND THE ALMOST 27 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE TORONTO FIRE SERVICE I WOULD LIKE TO SHOW MY LOVE AND APPRECIATION TO ALL MY FELLOW MEMBERS OF THE TPFFA AND ALL THE EMERGENCY SERVICES THAT I HAD THE HONOUR OF WORKING WITH OVER MY CAREER.
SO TO CELEBRATE I AM OFFERING A 1.5% COMMISSION REBATE* WHEN PURCHASING OR SELLING A RESALE PROPERTY FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2024.
SO, TO CELEBRATE, I AM OFFERING A 1.5% COMMISSION REBATE* WHEN PURCHASING OR SELLING A RESALE PROPERTY FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2024.
