The FIREWELL Research Champion series profile our firefighter collaborators and their critical contributions to our research on firefighter health and wellbeing.
Meet Dennis Brescacin
Dennis Brescacin is the Division Chief of Administration with Thunder Bay Fire Rescue (TBFR) and the President of Thunder Bay Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (TBPFFA, IAFF Local 193). He is also the Emergency Manager for the City of Thunder Bay, a member of the Department’s Critical Incident Response team, an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Level 2 firefighter job specific certified, and former member of the TBFR OH&S Committee. He is also the ex-officio member of the City of Thunder Bay Psychological Health & Wellness Executive Committee.
How are you involved in FIREWELL?
The Thunder Bay Professional Fire Fighters Association has been collaborating with Dr. Kathryn Sinden (Lakehead University) for the last 3 years on various research projects that will produce useful knowledge on firefighter health and wellness. One current project, funded by a CIHR catalyst grant, is addressing critical incident exposure and post-traumatic stress injury risks in our members. Another CIHR-funded study is evaluating and summarizing the mental health resources and supports for firefighters during COVID-19.
As a knowledge user, I am engaged throughout the entire research process. I help identify research problems, facilitate data collection, and interpret and implement the results in the fire service. I have also supported the dissemination of the research findings by co-presenting with Dr. Sinden’s team at academic events (Lakehead University’s Report to the Community) and fire conferences (Fire Rescue Canada).
Do you want to be a FIREWELL Research Champion?
If you’re a firefighter who would like to get involved in FIREWELL research, please contact us.