President’s Message


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

It is with great excitement and honour that I step into the position of President of the Canadian Fire Safety Association.  When considering the distinguished former Presidents and members throughout the long history of the Association, I indeed have big shoes to fill! 

As my first official task, I would like to thank outgoing President Susan Clarke for her years of service and for her efforts in successfully guiding the CFSA through the past two years. 

Susan also did a tremendous job Chairing this year’s Annual Education Forum.  Our 2012 meeting was another successful event with a tremendous turnout.  Congratulations are also extended to the awardees of the CFSA student scholarship awards.

As we enter our 44th year, I would like to introduce you to the 2012/2013 Board of Directors:

  • Matteo Gilfillan, Randal Brown & Associates Engineering Ltd.
  • Susan Clarke, Office of the Fire Marshal
  • Nick Webb, Markham Fire & Emergency Services
  • David Morris, Firetronics 2000 Inc.
  • Anthony Van Odyk, Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
  • Randy de Launay, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
  • Allison McLean, Atomic Energy Canada
  • Nadim Khan, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
  • Jim Stoops, Toronto Fire Services
  • Sandy Leva, Underwriters Laboratories of Canada
  • Dean Brown, City of Vaughan, Building Department
  • Janet O’Carroll, Innovative Fire Inc.
  • Gary Robitaille, Leber-Rubes Inc.

I want to congratulate and welcome the newly elected officers to the CFSA Executive, Vice Presidents Nick Webb, Markham Fire & Emergency Services, and David Morris, Firetronics 2000 Inc.  As well, we welcome to our newest Board member, Dean Brown, City of Vaughan Building Department.

Unfortunately, this year we bid farewell to Leo Grellette from the CFSA Board of Directors.  In the time that Leo has been on the Board he has been a major contributor to the CFSA’s success with increasing membership and ensuring that the Association’s actions are in line with our mission statement.  I would like to extend a special thanks to Leo for his years of service on the CFSA Board of Directors and I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Moving forward, much focus will be given to strengthening our Association.  During the past 8 years of my position as a Director of the CFSA, I have noticed several areas of the Association that all members can help improve, including:

  1. Increasing membership participation through the use of social media,
  2. Increasing membership and, thus, our Association’s intellectual base and support structure, and
  3. Improving CFSA’s dissemination of fire safety information by contributing to the CFSA News and participating in CFSA hosted seminars / workshops.

We thank the membership, corporate members, sponsors and our partner associations for their support throughout the years in our efforts to promote fire safety through the dissemination of fire safety information in a variety of ways.  We will continue to work hard to serve your needs.

Regards,

Matteo Gilfillan

CFSA President