We have trailers in the above locations and now the training will start. No cost to attend and lunch is provided , one day courses roughly 6 hours. Key volunteers will be trained and assigned to the trailers, but we really want fire aware and knowledgeable about the program. Sorry some of these are coming up very quickly!
Trailers are fully stocked to deal with multiple livestock species for restraint, containment and first aid.
Instructor Jennifer Woods is a livestock handling specialist. Her areas of expertise include euthanasia, animal handling and behavior, animal welfare auditing and assessing, livestock emergency response, transportation, and facility design.
This course is suitable for emergency personnel, veterinarians, and livestock sector volunteers
Accidents and disasters involving livestock require a coordinated approach between first responders (fire fighters, police), producers, and volunteers. Emergency handling of stressed or injured livestock is the biggest safety issue for the handler and the biggest welfare issue for the animal. This course is focused on providing awareness and guidance to incidents that require use of the emergency trailer. Course attendees will be trained and prepared on proper protocol and procedures. Manual and certificate of completion will be provided. The course will cover:
• Risk Identification and Mitigation
• Stressed Livestock Behavior and Handling
• Response to Motor Vehicle Accidents and Extrication
• Livestock Rescue including Entrapment, Barn Fires, Water Rescue
• Laws, Liabilities and Scene Security
• Injured Animal Protocols
• Euthanasia
• Resourcing
Dates:
September 25, 2026 – Courtenay, BC
October 3, 2026 – Vanderhoof, BC
October 8, 2026 – Cranbrook, BC
CALL FOR PRESENTERS
2027 BCFTOA Hands-on-Training and Educational Conference
The BC Fire Training Officers Association is seeking experienced, knowledgeable, and engaging individuals to present at the 2027 BCFTOA Educational Conference, taking place May 15–20, 2027 in Prince George, BC.
We invite fire service professionals, instructors, industry specialists, and subject-matter experts to submit proposals for hands-on training sessions and/or classroom-based instruction.
Training Dates
Hands-On Training
May 15–16, 2027
Hands-on training proposals should provide practical, skills-based instruction and meaningful opportunities for participant involvement. Sessions may include demonstrations, scenarios, drills, equipment familiarization, or other applied learning activities.
Classroom Instruction
May 18–20, 2027
Classroom presentations should be informative, relevant, and engaging. Sessions may include lectures, case studies, facilitated discussions, workshops, leadership development, operational lessons learned, or emerging fire service topics.
Suggested Presentation Topics
Proposals may address a wide range of fire service subjects, including:
- Fire suppression and tactical operations
- Technical rescue
- Training Officer development and leadership
- Instructor development
- Training program design and delivery
- Emergency management
- Occupational health, safety, and wellness
- Recruitment, retention, and succession planning
- New technologies and equipment
- Incident command and accountability
- Lessons learned from significant incidents
- Wildland and interface operations
- Any other topic relevant to today’s fire service
Proposal Requirements
Please include the following information with your submission:
- Presenter name, title, organization, and contact information
- Presenter biography and relevant instructional experience
- Proposed session title
- Session description
- Three to five learning objectives
- Preferred session date or format
- Proposed session length
- Maximum number of participants, if applicable
- Facility, equipment, or logistical requirements
- Any participant prerequisites or required personal protective equipment
- Presenter fees, travel requirements, or other anticipated expenses
- References or examples of previous presentations, where available
Presenters should be able to deliver practical, current, and professionally relevant content that supports the development of fire service instructors, officers, and personnel throughout British Columbia.
Submit a Proposal
Please submit your presentation proposal to:
Brian Ulle
1st Vice President
conference@bcftoa.com
📅 UPDATED — Presenter Proposal Deadlines
Priority Deadline: October 15, 2026
Presenters are encouraged to submit their proposals by October 15 for priority consideration as we begin developing the 2027 conference program.
Final Deadline: October 31, 2026
Proposals submitted after October 15 will still be considered. All presenter proposals must be received by October 31, 2026.
Please use the subject line:
2027 BCFTOA Call for Presenters – [Presenter Name or Session Title]
Selected presenters will be contacted with additional information regarding scheduling, facilities, compensation, travel, accommodations, and conference requirements.
Share your knowledge, experience, and expertise with fire service professionals from across British Columbia. We look forward to receiving your proposal.
📣 UPDATED ANNOUNCEMENT — CALL FOR PRESENTERS
🔥 BCFTOA 2027 CONFERENCE | PRINCE GEORGE, BC
Please note: Presenter proposal deadlines have now been added.
The BC Fire Training Officers Association is accepting presenter proposals for our 2027 Conference, taking place May 15–20, 2027, in Prince George, BC.
📅 UPDATED — Presenter Proposal Deadlines
Priority Deadline: October 15, 2026
Presenters are encouraged to submit their proposals by October 15 for priority consideration as we begin developing the 2027 conference program.
Final Deadline: October 30, 2026
Proposals submitted after October 15 will still be considered. All presenter proposals must be received by October 30, 2026.
🚒 Conference Dates
HOT Sessions: May 15–16, 2027
Classroom Sessions: May 18–20, 2027
We’re looking for knowledgeable, engaging presenters who are ready to share their experience, expertise, innovative ideas and practical training with members of the fire service from across British Columbia and beyond.
We welcome presentation proposals covering a wide range of topics relevant to today’s fire service, including:
🔥 Fireground operations & tactics
🔥 Leadership & officer development
🔥 Training and instructor development
🔥 Health, wellness & resiliency
🔥 Rescue and technical operations
🔥 Emerging technology & innovation
🔥 Recruitment, retention & succession planning
🔥 Lessons learned and best practices
🔥 Other topics that educate, challenge and inspire
Have knowledge or experience worth sharing? We want to hear from you.
Whether you’re an experienced conference presenter or have a great topic you’re ready to bring to a larger audience, we encourage you to submit a proposal.
👉 Submit by October 15 for priority consideration. Final proposals will be accepted until October 30, 2026.
Help us make the 2027 BCFTOA Conference another outstanding year of training, education and connection.
Please share this updated announcement with instructors, officers, subject-matter experts and fire service professionals who would be a great addition to our 2027 program.
#BCFTOA #CallForPresenters #BCFireService #FireTraining #FirefighterTraining #FireServiceLeadership #FireConference #FireService
The BC Fire Training Officers Association is proud to welcome fire service professionals from across the province and beyond to the 2027 Hands-On Training Weekend & Educational Conference in the vibrant city of Prince George, British Columbia.
Known as the “Northern Capital” of BC, Prince George offers the perfect backdrop for an exceptional week of learning, networking, and professional development. Surrounded by vast wilderness, strong industry partnerships, and a dedicated fire service community, Prince George provides unique opportunities for both hands-on training and educational advancement.
The BCFTOA Conference has long been recognized as one of Western Canada’s premier fire service training events, bringing together instructors, officers, firefighters, industry experts, and emergency service professionals committed to advancing firefighter safety, leadership, and operational excellence.
The 2027 conference will feature an extensive selection of hands-on training programs, educational sessions, leadership development opportunities, and industry exhibits designed to support today’s evolving fire service. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experienced instructors, share best practices, explore emerging technologies, and build valuable connections with colleagues from across the province.
Whether you are attending to enhance your technical skills, develop your leadership abilities, or connect with fellow fire service professionals, the 2027 BCFTOA Conference promises an engaging and rewarding experience.
Join us in Prince George as we continue our tradition of firefighters training firefighters, fostering collaboration, and strengthening the future of the fire service throughout British Columbia.
We look forward to welcoming you to Prince George in 2027.
The B.C. Structure Firefighter Minimum Training Standards (PDF, 435KB) manual will help all fire departments ensure that minimum levels of training are provided to all firefighters. The previous training standard (the ‘Playbook’), issued in May 2015, is no longer in effect.
The manual includes the relevant National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and Job Performance Requirements (JPR) references as well as other important firefighter safety regulations that a fire service needs to be aware of.
