BCPFFA Executive Board Announces New Leadership Team
It is with great pleasure, that on behalf of the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (BCPFFA), we announce a new BCPFFA leadership team. At the 42nd Biennial BCPFFA Convention in Campbell River, BC, over 175 delegates from 51 registered IAFF affiliate locals assembled to discuss important issues on behalf of their members and to elect candidates to the executive board. View Convention Images.
Introducing your New BCPFFA Executive Board
Back Row (left to right): Andrew Zado, Curtis Gibbons, Saverio Lattanzio, Matt Crompton, Mike McMillan, Kris Krutop, Stewart Dumont.
Front Row (left to right): Ryan Stewart, Steve Farina, Brian Catinus, Todd Schierling, Rob Weeks, Lee DePellegrin.
2023 BCPFFA Executive Board
The executive board looks forward to serving its 55 affiliates in the best interests of all members of the BCPFFA and working with all levels of government to provide public and fire fighters safety across the province. Learn more about the board.
The new members and roles on the board are as follows:
Todd Schierling, President-Acclaimed
Todd is a Local 1271 Surrey member who held the position of BCPFFA secretary-treasurer for the past seven years. Todd supported his predecessor, President Gord Ditchburn and the board to achieve several gains for the BCPFFA membership including the expansion of several cancers/illnesses, EMS scope of practice changes and supporting our affiliates with resources, education and training. Todd brings ingenuity, vision and resourcefulness to the executive board, and we look forward to his leadership.
“I am humbled and honoured to be acclaimed as President of the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association and work with a dedicated and strong leadership team serving our 55 local affiliates. I am thankful for the leaders who served before us, and built a strong foundation for our executive board to steward, protect, and improve upon wherever possible. I look forward to working with Secretary-Treasurer Brian Catinus and our entire board with the vision, unity, and leadership required to advance the BCPFFA agenda - working tirelessly to advocate for our IAFF members and their families.” -- Todd Schierling, BCPFFA President (acclaimed)
Brian Catinus, Secretary/Treasurer-Acclaimed
Brian, Local 967 Saanich president sits on several BCPFFA committees including Finance, Grievance, Database/IT, Resolutions and Convention. Additionally, Brian is a Field Service Rep for IAFF 6th District, Mike Carter. Brian has played an integral role in BC’s labour movement where he has been instrumental in advancing the IAFF / BCPFFA agenda forward. Brian brings a strong leadership skill set to the board in areas of labour relations and government affairs.
“This new executive board has been given an opportunity to continue the great work of so many before us, who worked tirelessly to ensure continually safer and more equitable working conditions for our members. I am honoured to work with this board, as well as our affiliates and committee members across this province to ensure our focus never waivers from making the fire service safer for our members and the communities they serve.” — Brian Catinus, BCPFFA Secretary-Treasurer (accliamed)
New to the board are,
Matt Crompton vice President acclaimed, and Andrew Zado Vice President elect.
Executive Board Members acclaimed;
Executive Vice President Rob Weeks (Vancouver) and Regional Vice Presidents Steve Farina (Lower Mainland North), Mike McMillan (Lower Mainland South), Saverio Lattanzio (Fraser Valley), Kris Krutop (Okanagan) and Lee DePellegrin (Kootenays).
Trustees Re-elected
Stewart Dumont L1668, Ryan Stewart L1183, Curtis Gibbons L1399
At convention, several governance related policy resolutions were adopted including Land Acknowledgement (acknowledging the respective ancestral and customary lands at provincial conferences and events), and Human Relations Committee (to support locals with resources in areas such as Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Leadership).
Honorary and Emeritus Membership resolution were proposed and supported unanimously by the delegation for the outstanding and impactful work to their local, region and province.
President Emeritus Member Gord Ditchburn, L18 Vancouver
Honorary Member Miles Ritchie, L323 Burnaby
Honorary Member Jeff Clark, L323 Burnaby
Honorary Member Dave Harcus, L4449 Maple Ridge
Stepping away from the executive board this convention was Gord Ditchburn who served fourteen years on the board, the last seven as President. Gord received President Emeritus Membership by a resolution unanimously supported by 55 locals in BC and the Yukon. Gord was celebrated for his longstanding and impactful advocacy work to the province. Gord will continue his work through the IAFF Canadian Office as Western Senior Executive. The board wishes Gord and his family the very best.
"Gord made a tremendous impact for fire fighters and their families in BC in areas of cancer presumptive coverage, EMS, Mental Health and much more. He provided sound leadership to his team and built solidarity across the province. We are proud of our contributions and service to the labour movement under Gord’s leadership..
— Newly acclaimed President Todd Schierling
Also, stepping away from their regional vice presidents’ roles are Chad Porter L905 President Nanaimo (Island Region) and Dean Aussem L1372 (Northern Region) who is retiring this month. We are thankful for their leadership and contributions and wish them and their families the very best.
NEW AFFILIATION
We are pleased to welcome View Royal IAFF Local 5419 and Colwood IAFF Local 5420 to the BCPFFA membership.
The British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Association is an organization that is comprised of the 55 locals who represent over 4300 professional men and women fire fighters in BC. All 55 locals are members of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
All locals support their communities in a variety of charitable initiatives that support youth, families and senior’s programs, and the IAFF’s charity (MD Canada). Additionally, the locals are proud contributors to the BCPFFA’s provincial charity – the BCPFF Burn Fund.
Sincerely,
BCPFFA Executive Board
Per
BRITISH COLUMBIA PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION
-30-
ABOUT THE BCPFFA
The BCPFFA is a service provider for its affiliates offering training and education in areas of provincial legislation, occupational health and safety, WorkSafe advocacy, financial assistance, bargaining, labour law, and advocacy for best practices in both public safety and fire fighter safety.
The BCPFFA executive board is comprised of thirteen elected representatives; Two principal officers (President and Secretary-Treasurer), eight regional Vice Presidents and three Trustees. They represent 55 Locals of over 4300 professional men and women in fire fighting - suppression, training, fire prevention, dispatch, mechanical, emergency preparedness, and clerical support staff.