8:00am – 5:00pm

Registration

Check in at registration and obtain your event badge and be sure to download the conference App.

BMO Front Concourse

9:00am – 9:30am

 Opening Keynote

Good Sleep Requires Shiny Shoes–and other candid life & leadership lessons learned the hard way

Over the past 30+ years, Chief Pegg has led and managed some of the largest and most complex fire service organizations in North America and served as the Incident Commander for the largest declared emergency in Toronto’s history.

He is regarded as an extraordinary leader, especially under pressure, and as someone whose ability to convey a sense of calm during crisis is both uncommon and exceptional.

In this candid, raw and inspiring presentation, Chief Pegg will share some of the most important lessons he has learned, both as a leader and an Incident Commander, and will help you to be prepared to lead when it matters.

Palomino A-D, BMO Centre

9:45am – 4:30PM

Sessions Underway at BMO Centre

4:30pm – 6:00pm

Opening Ceremonies & Memorial Service

Join the AFCA along with Government representatives for the Opening Ceremonies and Memorial Service.

Palomino A-D, BMO Centre

6:00pm – 9:00pm

Trade Show & Welcome Reception

Halls D-E, BMO Centre

7:30am – 12:00pm

Registration

Check in at registration and obtain your event badge and download the conference app.                                          

BMO Front Concourse

7:30am – 9:00am

Breakfast & Keynote

Stampede Breakfast and Keynote Speaker – Resilience Through Fire: A Journey of Safety, Responsibility, and Leadership

In this keynote presentation, John Westhaver, a seasoned motivational speaker and resilience expert, shares his poignant journey following a life-altering car crash that left him with life-threatening burns to 75% of his body. His story is not just one of personal survival but a testament to the power of resilience, safety, and responsibility—themes deeply resonant with the firefighting community.

Addressing the Alberta Fire Chiefs Annual Conference and Tradeshow, John will delve into the critical importance of resilience, both in personal adversity and the challenging realm of firefighting. He explores how resilience isn’t just about enduring but also about growing from experiences. By drawing parallels between his recovery process and the challenges faced by firefighters, he underscores the importance of mental and emotional strength, alongside physical bravery.

The presentation will also focus on safety, not just as a protocol, but as a holistic approach that includes mental well-being, especially in high-stress professions like firefighting. John emphasizes the crucial role of personal and professional responsibility, showcasing how responsibility towards oneself and one’s team is paramount in leadership roles.

Through practical tips and strategies, John aims to equip the attendees with tools to build and maintain resilience in their demanding roles. The session will not only inspire but also provide actionable insights into fostering a culture of safety and responsibility within their teams. Attendees will leave with a renewed perspective on facing challenges, both on the front lines and in their personal lives, fortified with strategies to enhance their resilience and well-being.

Palomino-A-D, BMO Centre

9:00am – 4:30pm

AFCA Trade Show

Halls D-E, BMO Centre

10:00am – 11:00AM

Group MAP Session 

Partners, have you ever taken a moment to honor your sacrifices and the challenges you’ve overcome, all while embracing your resilience and strength?

As a crucial pillar in creating a supportive and understanding environment for your spouse, you play an indispensable role. Yet, in shouldering such significance, you might find yourself without the necessary support to care for your own well-being and that of your family. Have there been times when you’ve felt isolated, unsure of where to tum for a comforting conversation over a cup of tea?

Are you navigating a world that constantly demands compromise, gradually losing touch with your true self? Have external expectations imposed upon you resulted in a loss of your authentic identity?

As you assume the role of the “strong one” for your family, fielding questions from your children about the whereabouts of Daddy and when he’ll return, do you receive the support you deserve? Is there a longing for, or perhaps a need for, additional support?

If you aspire to reclaim your true self and rediscover joy in life, consider joining our upcoming workshop. Here, you’ll connect with others who share similar experiences. Following a roundtable sharing session, Roseanne will guide you through the transformative MAP* (Make Anything Possible) process. This journey of rediscovery and self-empowerment aims to bring you back to your authentic self-centered, content, and at peace. Learn how to maintain a sense of calm amid chaos during uncertain times, empowering yourself to remain resilient and empowered.

Hotel Arts, AFCA Suite

10:15am – 10:45am

Coffee Break

Halls D-E, BMO Centre

12:00pm – 1:00pm

Lunch in the Trade Show

Join your partner for lunch in the trade show.  

Halls D-E, BMO Centre

2:00pm – 3:30pm

Food Demonstration at Hotel Arts

Note: Two food activities are 45 mins each (perogies, charcuterie board or summer roll)

Fees will apply

Hotel Arts

4:00pm – 4:30pm

TRADE SHOW CLOSES

Halls D-E, BMO Centre

6:00pm 

Free Evening

This is your chance to extend your networking time or exploring all that Calgary has to offer.

Calgary, AB

7:30am – 11:00am

Registration

Check in and download the conference app to earn points on the Leaderboard.

Palomino Foyer, BMO Centre

9:15Am – 10:15AM

Arjuna George Presentation to Partners – Supporting Fire Chiefs: Recognizing Burnout and Partner Self-Care

Join us for an informative session designed for Fire Chief’s partners. Presented by Arjuna George, a retired Fire Chief and Burnout and Resilience Coach, this session focuses on recognizing burnout, providing support, and prioritizing self-care.

Understanding Burnout: Arjuna shares his personal burnout journey, highlighting signs and triggers partners should be aware of. Learn how to recognize early warning signs and prevent operational stress injuries in your Fire Chief partner.

Prioritizing Self-Care: Understand the vital link between partner and Fire Chief well-being. Arjuna emphasizes the importance of your own self-care and offers guidance on establishing self-care routines that promote a healthy partnership.

 Q&A and Discussion: The session concludes with a Q&A and discussion, allowing partners to share experiences and gain further insights into supporting Fire Chiefs and themselves.

Arabian A-C, BMO Centre

10:45am – 11:45am

Alberta Boot Company

Fees will apply 

Alberta Boot Company

12:00PM – 1:00PM

Lunch and Keynote Presentation

Join the AFCA in the Palomino Room A-D for lunch and the Keynote with Megan McElhearn and Kelly Schwartz.

Identifying and Addressing Operational Stress in First Responders and Their Families

Traumatic events (i.e., operational stressors; Carleton et al., 2018). The impact of these stressors extends to the families of fire personnel, with spouses often bearing the brunt of supporting the fire member and the family (Casas & Benuto, 2021). In recent years, various initiatives targeting operational and organizational interventions have emerged to reduce the frequency and severity of OSIs among first responders (FR), including fire, paramedics and EMTs, and police (Di Nota et al., 2021; Bahji et al., 2023). Many of these interventions, however, are lacking in evidence to support the validity and feasibility in producing measurable change in participants.

In response to this, two intervention programs – the Before Operational Stress (BOS) program (McElheran, 2018) and the Re: Building Families (RBF) program (Schwartz et al., 2022) – have been developed and tested to demonstrate their effectiveness in reducing the cognitive and behavioural impacts of OSIs.

This keynote address will summarize the development, content, and evidence supporting both programs and discuss the importance of psychoeducation and support for both fire members and their spouses/partners. In particular, the discussion will highlight the impact of operational stress on fire members and the benefits of introducing evidence-informed prevention and early intervention efforts for fire families at the individual and departmental levels.

Palomino A-D, BMO Centre

2:00Pm – 3:00PM 

Crystal Bowl Sound Bath Guided Meditation Session

Guided group meditation system with soothing vibrational tones of Alchemy Crystal Bowls

Galleria Room, Hotel Arts 

6:30pm – 10:00pm

AFCA Annual Banquet & Entertainment with the Silly Wabbits

Join us at the AFCA Annual Banquet for an evening of member recognition and comradery.

Silly Wrabbit has been making people bob their heads to our tunes and shake their heads to our jokes for over 20 years. From 70s boogie woogie and 80s one hit wonders, to 90s hip hop and big radio hits from the 2000s.

Spectrum 4 & 5, Hotel Arts

7:30am – 9:00am

Breakfast & Keynote

Thriving Not Surviving – Building Sustainable Habits for Professional and Personal Wellness 

More than ever, mental health and wellness are important for a healthy workplace culture and environment. I am amazed how many people put all of their effort into the success of their career and life from a knowledge and ability point of view, and just expect their wellness to always be there for them. But you know what they say: “When you have your health you have a thousand wishes – when you don’t you only have one.”

In this engagement, participants explore how to cultivate personal and professional habits for sustainable wellness. We dive deep into personal and professional wellness strategies, recognizing and avoiding burnout, and how to develop a strategy for wellness that will lead to a healthy, productive, and successful team.

                                                                  Spectrum 4 & 5, Hotel Arts

9:15am – 10:30am

Concurrent Conference Streams

Spectrum 4 & 5, Hotel Arts

10:30am – 10:45am

Coffee Break

Meet your partner for a coffee before we close the day with the Fire Side Panel.

Foyer of Spectrum 4 & 5, Hotel Arts

10:45am – 12:00pm

Closing  Session – Fire Side Panel

Future Challenges to Leadership in the Fire Service

The Fireside session aims to provide fire chiefs from urban, rural, union, and volunteer fire departments with a comprehensive overview of Labour Relations, focusing Human Rights,- Accommodation and Discrimination, Collective Agreement Administration and Rights Arbitration, Progressive Discipline up to and including termination. The session aims to equip leaders with knowledge, strategies, and legal insights to navigate the complex landscape of managing fire service personnel effectively. In this informal panel discussion featuring legal experts John Saunders and Jessica Toldo from Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP, will also speak on suggestions for managing in the volunteer/composite fire service, responding to bullying and human rights allegations. The session will encourage an interactive format, allowing Chiefs to pose questions to foster a collaborative environment, encouraging the sharing of best practices and experiences among fire service leaders.

Spectrum 4 & 5, Hotel Arts