BCPFFA Western Health, Safety & Labour Conference

Protecting Members. Strengthening Leaders

October 26–28, 2026 | Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort, Kelowna, BC

Join Us in Kelowna

The BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (BCPFFA) Western Health, Safety & Labour Conference brings together fire service leaders from across British Columbia & Yukon, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan and beyond to build the skills and knowledge that directly protect our members. Delivered across two dedicated streams — Health & Wellness and Safety & Labour — the conference equips both new and experienced local leaders, OHS advocates, and their municipal partners with practical tools for effective representation and long-term member wellbeing. Beyond the classroom, delegates will have meaningful opportunities to network, share experience, and strengthen the relationships that make our locals stronger.

The longstanding tradition among BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan PFFPAs is highly valued. We invite all provincial and local leaders to join us for an informative education and training event.

Registration & Accommodation

Online registration and hotel bookings open Summer 2026. Space is limited — locals are encouraged to register early.

Registration Check-in and Sponsor Expo: October 25th 3pm to 6pm;

• Day 1 only: Health, Safety & Wellness | October 26 | $250 | Day 1 Only

  For all Fire Service Personnel. Locals are encouraged to invite their fire department management / municipal representatives to the Health & Safety stream October 26th. Joint participation strengthens the workplace relationships that support member health outcomes

• All 3 Days: Labour & Safety | October 26–28 | $700 | includes all 3 days

  Bargaining unit members only.

Accommodations: (standard room) | $279/night | Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort, Kelowna, BC

Health, Safety & Wellness | October 26

Open to members, fire department management, and municipal representatives

KeynoteS

• Health and Safety Sponsor: WorkSafeBC

A series of moderated panels of overall fire fighter health and wellness, featuring case studies highlighting real successes in recovery and strategies for success.

• Dr. Tim Doty — Occupational Health Physician, FireHealth (cancer screening in firefighters)

• Dr. Chris Carlsten — Head, Respiratory Medicine Division, UBC (occupational lung disease)

• Dr. Nathaniel Moulson, MD, MHA, FRCPC — Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC; Medical Director, Sports Cardiology BC; Co-Director of Research, Sports Cardiology BC, UBC Hospital (heart health and cardiac screening)

• Dr. Catherine Ho — Physiatry/Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Restore Sports Medicine (spine injuries, musculoskeletal health)

• Dr. Nate Moulson — Preventative and sports cardiologist at the University of British Columbia and SportsCardiologyBC.

• Dr. Sarah Janke — Keynote: Hormone Health A keynote address on hormone health and its relevance to fire fighter wellness.

• WorkSafe BC - Health & Safety, BCFRMH Committee updates.

Breakout Sessions

• Creating Healthy Environments Josh Booy: Building workplace cultures and physical environments that support fire fighter health and long-term wellbeing.

• Decontamination Strategies & PFAS Rob Araujo, Local 18: Current decontamination protocols and the emerging evidence on PFAS exposure — risks, mitigation strategies, and best practices for fire services.

• Retirement: Preparing for Life Beyond Fire Fighting Lorne West: A practical session on navigating the transition out of active service, covering financial, physical, and psychological preparation for retirement.

• Longitudinal Study Len Garis: An overview of ongoing longitudinal research into fire fighter health outcomes and what the findings mean for members, locals, and advocacy.

• Nutritional Health & Sleep Ashley Charlebois, Nutritionist: Evidence-informed guidance on nutrition and sleep as foundational pillars of fire fighter health, with practical strategies for shift workers.

Labour and Safety |October 26 and 27

Morning Keynotes includes all attendees.

Afternoon Breakouts for IAFF bargaining unit members only

Keynote

• What Exactly is Leadership Presence?

  Jeff Smith — Certified Master Executive Coach & Change Leadership Expert, Supporting Lines

• Is Your Local Active on AI Oversight and Fiduciary Discipline?

  Jordan — CEO an Co-Founder, Bespoke AI Solutions Inc.

Breakout Sessions

• Lead with Purpose. Build with Your People, Jeff Smith, Supporting Lines

  Part 1 — Create a Shared Vision: Great leaders build vision together. Learn the key parts, quick ways to create it, and how to involve members so everyone owns it.

  Part 2 — Build a Culture of Accountability: Accountability begins with clear expectations in four areas. This session shows what true accountability looks like, how it strengthens trust and gets work done, and practical steps to create it in your local..

• Avoiding Burnout – the Leadership Wake-up Call: Focusing on burnout prevention in high-demand fire service leadership roles, this session explores the connection between effective leadership and personal wellness, offering practical strategies for leaders to sustain self-care while leveraging their influence to foster resilience and encourage positive wellness habits.

• Labour Case Law — Key decisions shaping fire fighter rights and union obligations in BC.

• Members' Rights — What your members are entitled to and how to defend those entitlements.

• Duty of Fair Representation — Your legal obligations to members and how to meet them.

• Secretary / Treasurer Roles & Responsibilities — Understanding your obligations and authority as a union officer.

• Collective Bargaining — Strategy, preparation, and effective negotiations at the local level.

• Human Relations Darcie Sibbald & Katrina Davison — Understanding and upholding your members' human rights in the workplace, including a dedicated focus on maternity and parental leave rights, accommodation obligations, and building an inclusive, respectful local.

• AI Policies, Technology & Database — Emerging workplace technologies and the practical tools now available to local officers.

• Worker Advocacy — Resourcing members effectively for WorkSafe claims.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The BCPFFA Western Health, Safety & Labour Conference offers a unique opportunity for organizations to connect with fire fighter leadership from across British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Sponsorship packages are available at a range of levels, providing visibility and engagement with over 300 delegates — local union officers, occupational health and safety advocates, and their municipal partners. All sponsorships directly support the professional development of BC's career fire fighters.

Sponsor Expo / Networking Daily, from Sunday October 25th to Wednesday October 28.

To request a sponsorship package or discuss opportunities, click the button below or contact sponsorship@bcpffa.org.

A look back: highlights from the 2024 Western Educational & BC Fire Leadership Summit