A Recap of CFAA’s 2024 Annual General Meeting

by Suzanne Alfano, CFAA Executive Director

On June 25, 2024, we held our 51st Annual General Meeting in Blue Mountain Village, located north of Toronto, ON. It was a two-day event that included the Annual General Meeting plus a Board of Directors strategic planning session, networking dinners and the opportunity to enjoy some outdoor activities with industry colleagues. This was the first time we have held the AGM event outside of Markham, ON. The event was designed to provide a focused retreat to network, learn and brainstorm ideas and plans towards CFAA’s mission to promote the use and effectiveness of fire alarm systems across Canada and our vision to be be recognized nationally as the definitive resource for fire alarm related information, education, qualifications, expertise, and industry support with active chapters throughout Canada.

The Annual General Meeting included:

  • An opening keynote presentation by Sunjay Nath titled “Strength-Based Leadership: The 10-80-10 Principle®” which is a framework that allows organizations to increase performance and results by focusing their energy and efforts on highest yielding activities.
  • The President’s Report highlighting 2023 achievements and 2024 initiatives by CFAA President John MacDonald, MAC 1 Industries
  • Strategic Plan update by Jordan Klemick, Troy Life & Fire Safety & Chair of CFAA’s Strategic Planning Committee
  • 2023 Financial Auditor’s Report
  • The approval of the new 2024/25 Board of Directors
  • Life Membership Award presented to Daniel Guerin, Maple Armour Technologies, Past President & current Board Member of the Quebec Chapter
  • Honorary Life Membership Award presented to Gord Morrison, President of the BC Chapter for many years
  • Passing of the gavel to newly elected President Jordan Klemick, Troy Life & Fire Safety
  • Student Scholarship Award Presentations
  • A closing keynote presentation by Deputy Fire Marshal of Ontario, John Snider, titled “Using Data & Statistics to Improve Life Safety Outcomes”

This was our second hybrid AGM, which allowed both in-person and online participation from across the country.

The President’s Report highlighted the activities of the Board’s nine Committees and nine Chapters across Canada. Mr. MacDonald also highlighted the ongoing digital transformation of all Association operations, website, events, seminars and practical exams and enhancements to the CFAA Fire Alarm Technology Education Program. CFAA is moving to a new Association Management System (AMS) this fall to provide improved digital online service for members and technicians, along with streamlined management of CFAA website and database that houses all CFAA technician education and continuing education records, in addition to member engagement and event management, CFAA job board, news and information.

Jordan Klemick, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee provided an update on the Strategic Plan for the Association. In January of 2022, the Board of Directors participated in a strategic planning workshop designed to create a five-year strategy outline. The top three external threats were identified as insufficient technician workforce, perception of the value of the CFAA program and the CFAA program not fully recognized across Canada. We reviewed the progress of the identified five strategic outcomes and related tactics to counter these threats. Projects are underway such as further enhancing our digital capabilities; completing the feasibility and benefits analysis of SCC accreditation to ISO17024 Standard: “Conformity Assessment – General requirements for bodies operating the certification of persons” to certify fire alarm technicians; advocating for the harmonization and adoption of Canadian codes and standards related to fire alarm systems, improving and updating the CFAA Fire Alarm Technology Program and growing our fire alarm technician workforce in Canada.

CFAA’s Auditor Reilly Back LLP presented the 2023 financial statements that highlighted the positive financial health of the Association and were re-appointed as the CFAA’s Auditor for the upcoming year.

There was a total of 28 nominations received this year for CFAA’s student scholarship awards. Executive Director Suzanne Alfano presented the three student scholarship awards to deserving students in the fire and life safety education stream as follows:

  • Richard Morris Fire Alarm Fire Alarm Scholarship Award – Derick Tungpalan, graduate of Fanshawe College program
  • David Sylvester Memorial Fire Alarm Continuing Education Scholarship Award – Adrianna Hoshowski, graduate of the CFAA’s program
  • Jack Duggan Fire Alarm Technician Scholarship Award – Jonathan Fairbarn, graduate of the Seneca Polytechnic program

We are very proud of their academic accomplishments and welcome these aspiring graduates to our CFAA community.

Revitalization & Membership Committee Chair Evan Bombino presented the new slate for the Board of Directors, which included a total of 33 Director positions that was approved.

CFAA’s large Board continues to be a strength for our Association. Directors volunteer and actively contribute to CFAA Board, Committee & Chapter initiatives. The CFAA relies on the volunteer contributions of our Board of Directors and other members, technicians and staff, to help execute our plans. I appreciate their steadfast commitment towards our shared mission and vision, and it is a sincere pleasure to work with this group of fire protection and life safety professionals.

We welcomed our new 2024/25 Board of Directors, many of whom are returning Directors, and recognized the contributions of the following outgoing Directors:

  • Al Cavers, Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC)
  • Howard Diamond, Life Member
  • Jennifer Gourley, Harding Fire
  • Shane Normore, 360 Fire
  • Phil Dew, Royal City Fire

Our closing keynote presenter was Deputy Fire Marshal John Snider. Mr. Snider provided an insightful presentation on how the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office is using data and statistics to help improve fire and life safety outcomes. He highlighted OFM’s standard incident reporting (SIR); the top 10 municipalities in Ontario for firefighter emergency service calls; their “Test Your Smoke Alarm” public safety campaign; Ontario’s community fire risk reduction dashboard that helps identify high risks areas for the fire services; firefighter training efforts and some of the emerging challenges related to lithium-ion battery use.

Newly elected President Jordan Klemick thanked our Board of Directors, members and staff for their contributions to the CFAA, along with Deputy Fire Marshal Snider for his presentation. We look forward to the year ahead!

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