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Firefighters across NWO gather for training at FireCon 2026

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Hundreds of firefighters and emergency responders from across northwestern Ontario are in Thunder Bay this week for FireCon 2026, a major training and professional development event for the region’s fire service.

Running from September 14 to 19, the annual conference provides firefighters with access to specialized training, leadership development and hands-on learning opportunities closer to home.

Media were invited to attend Thursday to observe the training exercises and speak with participants and organizers.

Scenes from FireCon 2026 in Thunder Bay (Jacob Henriksen-Willis / September 17 2026)

The event was created more than 30 years ago to help firefighters in northern and remote communities access high-quality training without the significant travel costs often associated with courses offered elsewhere.

“FireCon is a premier training event for us,” said John McBeth, Deputy Fire Marshall of Ontario. “Every year, the number of courses grows and the diversity of those courses grow. We really want to meet local needs.”

Training is taking place at the Thunder Bay Fire Training Centre and the Valhalla Hotel and Conference Centre. Courses being offered include exterior attack firefighting and auto extrication, fire investigation, hazardous materials operations, rope rescue, incident command and several Ontario Fire College programs.

A key focus of this year’s conference is cancer prevention within the fire service.

“We understand that firefighters are at higher risk of contracting cancer,” said Dexter Hupe, Kenora F.D. Deputy Fire Chief and president of Emergency North Training. “We need to ensure that firefighters who are exposed to carcinogens are washing it off when they can, wearing gloves when they can and making sure they don’t harm themselves or anybody else when they take that stuff home to their families.”

Kenora F.D. Deputy Fire Chief and president of Emergency North Training Dexter Hupe (Jacob Henriksen-Willis / September 17 2026)

New this year are mobile live-fire training units set up at the Valhalla Hotel, giving participants the opportunity to take part in realistic hands-on training exercises without leaving the conference site.

“Whether you’ve been in the service for two months or 20 years, the great thing about FireCon is there’s something for everybody to learn,” said Rob Grimwood, Sudbury F.D. Fire Chief.

Participants can also take part in the Warren Brinkman Leadership Program, a leadership development course established in honour of the late Fire Chief Warren Brinkman. The program focuses on mentorship, professional growth and operational excellence.

“We tell all the firefighters here, take full advantage of the next few days,” McBeth said. “You’ve got some committed instructors, and some really great courses. The benefit of FireCon is you’ve got members from different departments to learn from. Come in with an open mind, ask questions and take that knowledge back home with you.”

In addition to training sessions, FireCon features an annual trade show where firefighters can explore new equipment, technologies and tools from fire service suppliers across Canada.

Organizers say FireCon is made possible through partnerships with Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, the Office of the Fire Marshal, the City of Thunder Bay Tourism Development Fund, the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs and numerous volunteers, instructors and exhibitors.

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FireCon more important than ever amid firefighter legislation changes

FireCon has wrapped up in Thunder Bay.

The event welcomed firefighters from across the region to participate in training courses and a trade show.

“So we have 170 students here this year,” said Thunder Bay Fire Chief and Emergency North Training President Dave Paxton. “Those students range everywhere from the Kenora District, Greenstone, Marathon, Fort Francis, Atikokan, all within the range. It’s not just restricted to northwestern Ontario.

“We do and have in the past had students from Southern Ontario, and some of our American friends used to come up, haven’t seen many of those team members in a while, so it’s a well-spread-out group.”

All of the departments contribute to running FireCon, from sending students and equipment to instructors.

The fire services also have a role in developing the programming for the yearly training event.

Courses that were offered included passenger vehicle extrication, apparatus equipped with a fire pump, hazardous materials operations, fire instructor, fire investigator, live fire attack, and the Warren Brinkman Being a Leader in Mental Health Track.

There were also two pilot courses run by the Ontario Fire College: Incident Command and Exterior Attack.

This year’s FireCon is more important than ever.

In 2026, all firefighters, volunteer or full-time staff, will have to adhere to Ontario Regulation 343/22 made under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997.

The legislation, passed in 2022, outlines the certification requirement for performing firefighting duties in the province.

“Most recently, the courses that are covered here are significantly certification-based as opposed to just seminars,” explained Paxton.

“Over the last few years, certification is now at the forefront of fire, both volunteer and in the full-time world and July of 2026 is when that certification comes into place, so a lot of these courses are people trying to round out their portfolios and their requirements based on the roles that they play within their own department.”

Starting on July 1, 2026, firefighters need a certification to do the following:

  • Firefighter Exterior Attack: Fire suppression operations from the exterior of the building only
  • Firefighter Exterior Attack and auto extrication: Fire suppression operations from the exterior of the building only and auto extrication rescue
  • Firefighter Exterior Attack and hazardous materials response: Fire suppression operations from the exterior of the building only and Operations-level hazardous materials response
  • Firefighter Exterior Attack, auto extrication and hazardous materials response: Fire suppression operations from the exterior of the building only, automobile extrication rescue and Operations-level hazardous materials response
  • Firefighter Interior Attack: Fire suppression operations that enter the interior of the building and can perform rescue
  • Firefighter Interior Attack and hazardous materials response: Fire suppression operations that enter the interior of the building and Operations-level hazardous materials response
  • Firefighter Interior Attack and auto extrication: Fire suppression operations that enter the interior of the building and can perform rescue and automobile extrication rescue
  • Firefighter Interior Attack, auto extrication and hazardous materials response: Fire suppression operations that enter the interior of the building and can perform rescue, automobile extrication rescue and Operations-level hazardous materials response (full service firefighter)

There are also Team Lead Certifications required for each of the aforementioned certifications.

The following certificates will also be needed by July 1, 2026:

  • Pump Operations: Operation of a pumper apparatus without driving the apparatus, or where the apparatus does not require a class D licence
  • Pump Operations: driver: Driving and operating a pumper apparatus that requires a class D licence
  • Fire Prevention/Inspection Level I: conducting fire and life safety inspections
  • Fire Prevention/Inspection Level II: conducting fire and life safety inspections, including in facilities that store, handle or use flammable/combustible liquids
  • Fire Investigator: conducting fire cause and origin investigations
  • Fire and Life Safety Educator: providing fire and life safety education
  • Training Officer Level I: providing training and education to other fire personnel
  • Training Officer Level II: providing training and education to other fire personnel, including lead instructor roles at live fire and above or below grade technical rescue practical training
  • Emergency Communicators Level I: taking emergency calls
  • Emergency Communicators Level II: taking emergency calls and dispatching emergency vehicles
  • Incident Safety Officers: undertaking the primary role of incident safety officer at emergency calls
  • Hazardous Materials Response — Operations Mission Specific Level: responding to emergencies involving hazardous materials at the Operations Mission Specific Level
  • Hazardous Materials Response — Technician Level: responding to emergencies involving hazardous materials at the Technician Level

The Ontario Fire Marshall’s office supports the regional training model and sent over 30 instructors to support the efforts at FireCon.

A list of additional certificates is also becoming required in 2028.

TBFR Thunder Bay Fire Rescue trucks

FireCon 2025 underway in Thunder Bay

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Firefighters from across northwestern Ontario have travelled to Thunder Bay to take part in FireCon 2025.

The event focuses on training by Emergency North Training (ENT).

“Volunteer first responders travel from all over northwestern Ontario to enhance their life-saving skills, so they can better serve their communities and help keep their neighbours safe,” said Thunder Bay Fire Chief and ENT President Dave Paxton.

“Their compassion and dedication are unprecedented. This is the true significance and spirit of FireCon.”

The event got underway on Tuesday and is running through Saturday.

Courses being offered include passenger vehicle extrication, apparatus equipped with a fire pump, hazardous materials operations, fire instructor, fire investigator, live fire attack, and the Warren Brinkman Being a Leader in Mental Health Track.

There are also two pilot courses being put on by the Ontario Fire College: Incident Command and Exterior Attack.

The event will also welcome companies from all over Canada to attend and exhibit at the trade show, providing fire services access to new tools, technologies, and lifesaving equipment.

The event is supported through partnerships with Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, the Office of the Fire Marshal, the City of Thunder Bay Tourism Development Fund, and the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs.