News & Events

FIREWELL offers exciting opportunities for trainees to engage in firefighter research. Dr. Joy MacDermid's past summer student, Mostin Hu, worked on the SSHRC-CIHR project that reviewed the content (health programs, resources) of Canadian firefighter websites. Mostin also interviewed firefighters across… Read More

Dr. Kathryn Sinden (Assistant Professor, Lakehead University) was interviewed on Thunder Bay News about the FIREWELL research that she is conducting with the Thunder Bay Fire Rescue. Read More

The Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance has released the new Fire Service Occupational Cancer Toolkit to help guide firefighters and management on the risks and prevention of carcinogen exposure. This electronic toolkit includes: research information, educational/multimedia resources (e.g., checklists, tracking… Read More

A FIREWELL research study on the effects of age and gender on Canadian firefighters' fitness levels was recently published in the International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics. This study was led by Drs. Joy MacDermid & Kathryn Sinden and… Read More

Dr. Joy MacDermid (Professor, University of Western Ontario) was recently interviewed in the Western News and The Cape Breton Post about her research program, including her collaboration with firefighters to reduce their musculoskeletal injuries. To read the Western News article:… Read More

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released a new report on the types and causes of injuries sustained by U.S. female firefighters on the fireground. View report. Read More

The Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) has released the results of the first Canada-wide study (led by Dr. Nick Carleton from the University of Regina) on the mental health of public safety personnel. To read the… Read More

Amanda Brazil (Canadian Mental Health Association, PEI Division & Volunteer Firefighter, Cross Roads Fire Department) was interviewed by CBC news about the new mental health education program being implemented in fire departments across Prince Edward Island. The program, "Resilient Minds",… Read More

Thunder Bay Fire Rescue's first 2 female firefighters, Stephanie Drost and Ceilidh Boyd, were recently featured on Maclean's People and Places. View story Read More

We are pleased to announce the official launch of the new FIREWELL website! The goal of this interactive website is to provide firefighters a safe, virtual community where they can collaborate with other firefighters and researchers, share resources and best… Read More

FIREWELL research projects by physiotherapy students (supervisors: Drs. Joy MacDermid & Kathryn Sinden) were presented at the McMaster Research Evidence-Based Practice (REBP) Symposium in Hamilton, Ontario: 1) Braun A,  Hempstock G, Perruzza S. A scoping review of musculoskeletal injuries in… Read More

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) released a 42-page report on emotional and behavioural issues in the fire service: "Under the Helmet – Performing an Internal Size-up: A Proactive Approach… Read More