BCPFFA Western Health, Safety & Labour Conference
Protecting Members. Strengthening Leaders
October 26–28, 2026 | Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort, Kelowna, BC
Join Us in Kelowna
The BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (BCPFFA) Western Health, Safety & Labour Conference brings together fire service leaders from across British Columbia & Yukon, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan and beyond to build the skills and knowledge that directly protect our members. Delivered across two dedicated streams — Health & Wellness and Safety & Labour — the conference equips both new and experienced local leaders, OHS advocates, and their municipal partners with practical tools for effective representation and long-term member wellbeing. Beyond the classroom, delegates will have meaningful opportunities to network, share experience, and strengthen the relationships that make our locals stronger.
The longstanding tradition among BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan PFFPAs is highly valued. We invite all provincial and local leaders to join us for an informative education and training event.
Registration & Accommodation
Online registration and hotel bookings open Summer 2026. Space is limited — locals are encouraged to register early.
Registration Check-in and Sponsor Expo: October 25th 3pm to 6pm;
Day 1 only: Health, Safety & Wellness | October 26 | $250 | Day 1 Only
For all Fire Service Personnel. Locals are encouraged to invite their fire department management / municipal representatives to the Health & Safety stream October 26th. Joint participation strengthens the workplace relationships that support member health outcomes
All 3 Days: Labour & Safety | October 26–28 | $700 | includes all 3 days
Bargaining unit members only.
Accommodations: (standard room) | $279/night | Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort, Kelowna, BC
Health, Safety & Wellness | October 26
Open to members, fire department management, and municipal representatives
KeynoteS
Health and Safety Sponsor: WorkSafeBC
Tanya Houghton, Senior director of Health Care and Specialized Claims Services at WorkSafeBC.
Angelique Prince, Director, Prevention Programs & Services · WorkSafeBC
Lisa Smith, Director of Special Care Services at WorkSafeBC
Carly Higgon, Director, Health Care Programs · WorkSafeBC
Director, Health Care Programs
A series of moderated panels of overall fire fighter health and wellness, featuring case studies highlighting real successes in recovery and strategies for success.
Neil McMillan — Contractor - Medical Assistance Program, International Association of Fire Fighters Health and Safety Division
Dr. Tim Doty — Occupational Health Physician, FireHealth (cancer screening in firefighters)
Dr. Chris Carlsten — Head, Respiratory Medicine Division, UBC (occupational lung disease)
Dr. Nathaniel Moulson, MD, MHA, FRCPC — Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC; Medical Director, Sports Cardiology BC; Co-Director of Research, Sports Cardiology BC, UBC Hospital (heart health and cardiac screening)
Dr. Catherine Ho — Physiatry/Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Restore Sports Medicine (spine injuries, musculoskeletal health)
Dr. Sara Jahnke — Keynote: Hormone Health A keynote address on hormone health and its relevance to fire fighter wellness.
WorkSafe BC - Health & Safety, BCFRMH Committee updates.
Breakout Sessions
Creating Healthy Environments Josh Booy: Building workplace cultures and physical environments that support fire fighter health and long-term wellbeing.
Decontamination Strategies & PFAS Rob Araujo, Local 18: Current decontamination protocols and the emerging evidence on PFAS exposure — risks, mitigation strategies, and best practices for fire services.
Retirement: Preparing for Life Beyond Fire Fighting Lorne West: A practical session on navigating the transition out of active service, covering financial, physical, and psychological preparation for retirement.
Longitudinal Study Len Garis: An overview of ongoing longitudinal research into fire fighter health outcomes and what the findings mean for members, locals, and advocacy.
Nutritional Health & Sleep Joanna (Jo) Irvine: A Registered Dietitian will present on nutrition to optimize performance, sleep and overall function.
Labour and Safety |October 26 and 27
Morning Keynotes includes all attendees.
Afternoon Breakouts for IAFF bargaining unit members only
Keynote
Brian Schafer, BAppBES Operations Manager, University of Regina
PSPNET - What is Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT)? Learn about practical information and skills to self-manage your mental health. Therapist-guided and self-guided programs.
Jeff Smith — Certified Master Executive Coach & Change Leadership Expert, Supporting Lines
What Exactly is Leadership Presence? This session teaches what leadership presence is, why it matters, and how to build it, leaving participants with clear, actionable steps to strengthen their leadership impact.
Jordan Redford — CEO an Co-Founder, Bespoke AI Solutions Inc.
Is Your Local Active on AI Oversight and Fiduciary Discipline?
Breakout Sessions
Lead with Purpose. Build with Your People, Jeff Smith, Supporting Lines
Create a Shared Vision: Great leaders build vision together. Learn the key parts, quick ways to create it, and how to involve members so everyone owns it.
Build a Culture of Accountability: Accountability begins with clear expectations in four areas. This session shows what true accountability looks like, how it strengthens trust and gets work done, and practical steps to create it in your local..
Avoiding Burnout – the Leadership Wake-up Call: Lorie Bowie - Focusing on burnout prevention in high-demand fire service leadership roles, this session explores the connection between effective leadership and personal wellness, offering practical strategies for leaders to sustain self-care while leveraging their influence to foster resilience and encourage positive wellness habits.
Labour Case Law — Key decisions shaping fire fighter rights and union obligations in BC.
Members' Rights — What your members are entitled to and how to defend those entitlements.
Duty of Fair Representation — Your legal obligations to members and how to meet them.
Secretary / Treasurer Roles & Responsibilities — Understanding your obligations and authority as a union officer.
Collective Bargaining — Strategy, preparation, and effective negotiations at the local level.
Human Relations Darcie Sibbald & Katrina Davison — Understanding and upholding your members' human rights in the workplace, including a dedicated focus on maternity and parental leave rights, accommodation obligations, and building an inclusive, respectful local.
AI Policies, Technology & Database — Emerging workplace technologies and the practical tools now available to local officers.
Worker Advocacy — Resourcing members effectively for WorkSafe claims.
“The BCPFFA Western Health, Safety & Labour Conference is one of the most valuable investments a local can make in its leadership. We look forward to welcoming you to Kelowna in October 2026.”
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The BCPFFA Western Health, Safety & Labour Conference offers a unique opportunity for organizations to connect with fire fighter leadership from across British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Sponsorship packages are available at a range of levels, providing visibility and engagement with over 300 delegates — local union officers, occupational health and safety advocates, and their municipal partners. All sponsorships directly support the professional development of BC's career fire fighters.
Sponsor Expo / Networking Daily, from Sunday October 25th to Wednesday October 28.
To request a sponsorship package or discuss opportunities, click the button below or contact sponsorship@bcpffa.org.
GOALS, Objectives and Learning Outcomes
BCPFFA Western Health, Safety & Labour Conference
October 26–28, 2026 | Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort, Kelowna, BC
Goal: Equip fire service leaders and advocates across BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories with the knowledge, skills, and connections to protect member health, advance workplace safety, and strengthen union leadership at the local and provincial level.
Objectives
Advance member health through evidence-based education on occupational cancer, cardiac, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and hormonal health.
Strengthen OHS representation with current decontamination protocols, PFAS awareness, and WorkSafeBC claims support.
Build leadership capacity in purpose-driven leadership, accountability, burnout prevention, and emerging technologies, including AI.
Deepen labour knowledge in members' rights, duty of fair representation, collective bargaining, and BC case law.
Support human relations by equipping local officers to meet human rights, accommodation, and parental leave obligations.
Foster inter-provincial relationships across BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan PFFAs.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the conference, delegates will be able to:
Health, Safety & Wellness (Day 1 / 2)
Identify key occupational health risks and apply evidence-based prevention strategies.
Describe available cancer screening options and early detection methods relevant to fire fighter occupational exposures, including screenings for bladder, lung, colorectal, prostate, breast, and other presumptively covered cancers.
Explain why early detection matters — including how swift diagnosis and timely treatment reduce fire fighter fatalities — and advocate for annual medical and cancer screening programs within their departments.
Identify the presumptive cancer list, navigate the WorkSafe claims process, and connect members to coverage and screening pathways without delay following a diagnosis.
Implement current PFAS decontamination protocols to reduce carcinogenic exposure at the source.
Apply nutrition and sleep strategies to support wellness during shift work and long-term health outcomes.
Prepare physically, financially, and psychologically for retirement from active service.
Labour & Safety (Day 2 / 3)
Apply leadership presence and accountability practices within their local.
Recognize and address leadership burnout.
Apply labour case law to real-world member representation.
Fulfill the duty of fair representation and Secretary/Treasurer obligations.
Prepare and execute a local-level collective bargaining strategy.
Uphold human rights obligations, including accommodation and parental leave.
Assess the implications of AI and workplace technology for local policy and administration.
Support members effectively through the WorkSafe claims process.
A look back: highlights from the 2024 Western Educational & BC Fire Leadership Summit
Thanks to our participating Sponsors
