TORONTO, April 29, 2016 /CNW/ - The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs is looking forward to hosting their yearly conference and trade show, starting this weekend at the Toronto Congress Centre. Most notable among the convention's events will be Sunday night's annual Memorial Service, honouring Ontario's chief fire officers who have passed away over the previous year.
The five-day conference attracts attendees from across Ontario, particularly fire chiefs and other fire officers, firefighters, prevention and training officers, and municipal officials. The gathering is an unparalleled opportunity for those with a professional interest in fire prevention and services to gather for five days of learning, networking and collaboration. The conference opens this Saturday, April 30th, and closes on Wednesday, May 4th.
The OAFC Memorial Service is held every year, to remember and honour the chief officers who have passed away since the last conference. It is the OAFC's most attended event of the year. The service will have many special guests in attendance, and features a colour guard, a choir, and the Ontario Fire Service Pipes and Drums.
Guests already confirmed for this year include:
Honourable Yasir Naqvi, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Honourable Kevin Flynn, Minster of Labour
Matthew Torigian, Deputy Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Ontario Fire Marshal Ross Nichols
Deputy Fire Chief Matt Pegg – President – OAFC
The memorial service is on Sunday, May 1st at 7:00 p.m. in Ballroom C.
With over 35 learning seminars to participate in, attendees leave the conference with innovative information that covers all areas of the fire service including technological advances, real-life fire incidents, navigating the political environment, public and life fire safety, management and leadership development, and more.
This year, the presentations and speakers include: a review of the Lac-Megantic rail disaster with local fire chief Denis Lauzon, Enbridge Pipelines Inc. on pipeline safety for emergency responders, lessons of the Baltimore riots from two City of Baltimore assistant fire chiefs, and battling PTSD and mental illness from the perspectives of former NHL goalie Clint Malarchuk and his wife Joanie Malarchuk.
OAFC 2016 attendees also enjoy admission to the largest fire and emergency trade show in Canada. The OAFC Trade Show boasts over 250 booths and fire vehicles on display, and hosts the largest gathering of fire service manufacturers and suppliers in Canada. The trade show offers attendees direct access to the people and companies who supply fire departments with the important life saving apparatus, gear and services they rely upon every day.
SOURCE Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs
Image with caption: "Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (CNW Group/Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160429_C5899_PHOTO_EN_678399.jpg
Richard Boyes, Executive Director, OAFC, 905-484-4476, [email protected]
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