President’s Message

Message From the President

I would like to take a moment to thank you, the membership, for your endorsement of myself for the position of President of the Canadian Fire Safety Association. I would be remiss if I did not take time to extend my most sincere appreciation to Janet O’Carroll who as President over the past two years, and now as past President, has put forth an extreme effort in supporting and moving forward your association.

I look forward to serving you the membership over the next two years. As with most associations no one person can meet the day-to-day challenges placed on the association. I am grateful that I move into my term with the added support of Vice Presidents Randy de Launay from Human Resources Development Canada and Susan Clarke from the Office of the Fire Marshall.

A great supporting cast made up of Allison McLean (Nadine International), Matteo Gilfillan (Randal Brown & Associates Ltd.), Gary Robitaille (Leber-Rubes Inc.), Anthony Van Odyk (Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology), Rocky Mino (Markham Fire & Emergency Services), Jason Trabucco (Toronto Transit Commission), Sandy Leva (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada), Cengiz Kahramanoglu (Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing) and Frank Lamie (City of Toronto Fire Services) complement the efforts of the association and in fact are a strong component of the driving force of the association.

However it is with both sadness and appreciation that I announce that Rich Morris, an original founding member of the CFSA, will no longer be on the Board of Directors of the CFSA; sadness at the loss to the Board but with the deepest appreciation for all the years of dedicated service to this association. Rich has been both a mentor and a pillar of strength and knowledge for many of those who have served on the Board of Directors over the years. I personally owe Rich a debt of gratitude for his support of myself during our years together on the Board. Although supposedly gone from the Board, Rich has (as is his manner) agreed to continue to be a valuable resource for myself and others on the Board. I did promise not to call his cell during his days on the golf course. Good luck Rich and many heartfelt thanks from us all.

As well, after many years of dedicated service to both the members and Board of Directors of the Canadian Fire Safety Association, Alan Kennedy has decided that it is time for him to pursue many of the other things that life has to offer with retirement and golf being but two.

Alan has served the association in many capacities and has also guided the direction of the Association in his capacity as President. Although Alan has taken this opportunity to enjoy himself he still remains a valuable asset to the Association as do all the Past Presidents.

I would like to thank Alan personally for his guidance and mentoring during our time together on the Board.

I would also like to thank Matt Osburn and Chantelle Cosgrove for their contributions to the Canadian Fire Safety Association. If not for the sacrifices of dedicated volunteers to the Board of Directors the Association would be unable to continue to offer the technical insight, awareness and training that enhances our base knowledge and importance of fire safety first.

As we move forward, the Board is reserving time to evaluate its purpose, its mission and means to continue to provide those technical training opportunities you the members have come to expect. We are reviewing our core objectives and our administrative function in an effort to be more streamlined, efficient and effective.

In looking ahead we continue to appreciate your support as well as the support of our corporate members and sponsors. We will continue to support the efforts of individuals and other associations and manufacturers in their efforts to both advance and enhance fire safety in Canada.

Yours very truly,
Leo Grellette
CFSA President