BCPFFA Western Health, Safety & Labour Conference
Protecting Members. Strengthening Leaders
October 26–28, 2026 | Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort, Kelowna, BC
Registration is now open.
Check with your Local Affiliate Leadership for the Conference passcode, sent to their email address.
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.
GENERAL OVERVIEW AGENDA
-
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 4pm to 6pm;
Day 1/2 : Health, Safety & Wellness | October 26 (& 27th morning end time 10:30) | $375
For all Fire Service Personnel. Locals are encouraged to invite their fire department management / municipal representatives to the Health & Safety stream October 26th & 27th. Joint participation strengthens the workplace relationships that support member health outcomes
All 3 Days: Labour & Safety | October 26–28 | $750 | includes all 3 days
Bargaining unit members only.
Accommodations:
(standard room) | $279/night | Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort, Kelowna, BC
Coast Capri Hotel Overflow
-
Open to members, fire department management, and municipal representatives
Presenters October 26
Emcee Hosts: Darcie Sibbald and Josh Booy
Greetings: President Todd Schierling, and IAFF 6th DVP Mike Carter
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
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. Catherine Ho — Physiatry/Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Restore Sports Medicine (spine injuries, musculoskeletal health)
Dr. Nathaniel Moulson, MD, MHA, FRCPC — Cardiovascular Considerations for Firefighting
Dr. Chris Carlsten — Firefighting and the Lungs: a Respirologist’s View
Ray Lankin, United Diagnsotics, Platinum Sponsor Address & Video
Dr. Sara Jahnke — Keynote: Hormone Health A keynote address on hormone health and its relevance to fire fighter wellness.
WorkSafe BC - Health & Safety, Special Care, BCFRMH Committee updates.
Breakout Sessions
Josh Booy, Creating Healthy Environments: Building workplace cultures and physical environments that support fire fighter health and long-term wellbeing.
Rob Araujo, Local 18, Decontamination Strategies & PFAS: Current decontamination protocols and the emerging evidence on PFAS exposure — risks, mitigation strategies, and best practices for fire services.
IAFF Vice President Emeritus: Retirement; A New Chapter in Life Beyond the Fire Service
Len Garis:, Longitudinal Study: An overview of ongoing longitudinal research into fire fighter health outcomes and what the findings mean for members, locals, and advocacy.
Joanna (Jo) Irvine, Nutritional Health & Sleep: A Registered Dietitian will present on nutrition to optimize performance, sleep and overall function.
-
Morning Keynotes includes all attendees.
Afternoon Breakouts for IAFF bargaining unit members only
Presenters: October 27th
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.
Matt Johnson, First Responder Health
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, Bespoke AI Solutions Inc.
The Hidden Cost of "Free" AI: Oversight, Fiduciary Discipline, and the Risk Already in Your Halliption text goes here
-
Presenters: October 27 & 28
Dr. Jeff Sauve - Burn Fund Campaign
Sean McManus, Legal Counsel for Canada
Lindsay Kostyk, TD Insurance
Joey Baker, IAFF-FC, Benefit Trust Launch
Breakout Sessions October 27 & 28
Jeff Smith, Supporting Lines, Lead with Purpose. Build with Your People
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.
Jordan Redford, Bespoke AI Solutions Inc.: AI in the Hall: From First Prompt to Written Policy
Lorie Bowie, Avoiding Burnout – the Leadership Wake-up Call
Jessica Burke, Labour Case Law — Key decisions shaping fire fighter rights and union obligations in BC.
Tony Glavin, Legal Council: Hasta La Vista Baby: You Are Terminated”: Discipline and Discharge in Unionized Workplaces
Sean McManus, Duty of Fair Representation — Your legal obligations to members and how to meet them.
Cole Chapelsky, Secretary / Treasurer Roles & Responsibilities — Understanding your obligations and authority as a union officer.
Mike Carter (BC, AB, SK Reps) Collective Bargaining — Strategy, preparation, and effective negotiations at the local level.
Darcie Sibbald & Katrina Davison,Human Relations: 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.
Josh Booy & WorkSafe Senior Manager, Special Care Services Lauren Thom, WorkSafeBC, Claims / DTA, GRTW / MRTW
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.
-
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.
-
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.
“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.”
