Thank you for entrusting me with the incredible honor of leading this organization. CFAA is celebrating 53 years of industry excellence in Canada, and I am humbled and proud to carry on this great tradition.

When I graduated with a degree in engineering from McMaster University back in 1988, I was not certain what the engineering career would bring. Fortunately, I was mentored by a legend, the late Richard Morris when I first entered the industry, who told me that “Our work is not just a job, we are actually protecting and saving people’s lives”. This is a powerful statement, which still rings true today, 38 years after I started down this path of fire protection engineering.

Over my career in fire protection, I have worked for manufacturers, taught at educational institutions, and consulted in international and local engineering firms, all focused on fire alarm systems and fire protection. My project work allowed me to survey under the council chamber when the city council was in session above. I worked on upgrading the fire alarm system at Pearson when the city was locked down during COVID, worked in 24 hours of darkness in the North Pole for Defence Construction Canada, and flew to Dubai twice a year for 4 years, proudly representing Canada, to sit on the House of Expertise for their Civil Defence in UAE.

With the vast experience that I have gained over my career, I have always delivered on giving back to the community. I have volunteered and led in many volunteer organizations, including being the Founding Chair of Canadian Fire Engineering Summit, Chair of Professional Engineers Ontario (York), serving as the President of Institution of Fire Engineers Canada, serving as President of CFAA Central Ontario Chapter, representing CFAA at OBC Part 3 Technical Advisory Committee, serving as Chair for Standard Council of Canada TC 21 committee, and sitting on the UL T5006 technical committee. Additionally, I have delivered over 80 technical presentations at conferences and seminars for CFAA, CFES, IFE, SFPE, OMFPOA, PEO, CASA, BC FireCON, OACETT, plus many government and private organizations. The goal is to spread awareness and educate the public on fire alarm and fire safety.

As I take over the role to lead this organization, CFAA is facing unprecedented challenges, as we stare down the face of strong competition in Ontario and across the country. To be ready for these challenges, we are improving and undergoing a transformation.

• We are very close to completing a major upgrade with the new AMS system which will improve CFAA’s online presence, and more importantly, improve the technician’s user experience in renewing membership, or signing up for our events.
• We are in the midst of modernizing our education program into a tiered program, which would better serve the varying needs of our industry and bring more credibility to CFAA.
• We are seeking SCC accreditation, which would position us as a nationally accredited and registered organization.
• We are planning to launch an advocacy campaign, to make the profession more desirable, and drive regulatory changes at the federal and provincial government level
• We are doing more outreach through the CFAA technician’s podcast and Webinar Wednesdays to drive more awareness for CFAA and educate the technicians
• We are collaborating more with other industry organizations to hold large scale conferences and trades shows such as CFES and BC FireCON

What does all this mean for CFAA in the next couple of years? In my opinion, we will see more challenges, from competing organizations as well as from our own technicians, since we are changing the status quo on fire alarm in Canada. We anticipate greater engagement, dialogue, and collaboration for CFAA. Over the next few years, we hope that our members, technicians, end users as well as the AHJs will realize the value of our initiatives and support our mission, helping to strengthen CFAA’s reputation as a trusted and respected organization nationwide.

I am committed to lead CFAA into the next chapter with a positive attitude and synergy. Your trust in me drives my commitment to reach our goals. I am looking forward to working with each and every one of you - to overcome challenges along the way, to listen to your constructive feedback, to fill gaps created by regulations and market, and to accomplish our vision together of becoming Canada’s national resource for fire alarm education, qualification and expertise.

We have started on this path to modernize CFAA, and we WILL reach our goal if we work collaboratively as one. I thank you again for your trust and support.