Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Dedicated to Excellence in Firefighter Training
Experienced Fire Service Leaders
Canadian Fire Rescue College is led by dedicated fire service professionals who bring real-world operational expertise and instructional excellence to every program. Our team is committed to preparing students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence required for successful careers in emergency response.
Instructors
Craig Martin, Training Coordinator
Craig Martin serves as College Training Coordinator at Canadian Fire Rescue College, where he provides instructional leadership and ensures programs deliver comprehensive, high-performance firefighter training. A member of the Calgary Fire Department since 2013, Craig serves on the department’s Technical Rescue Specialty Team and is also a Rescue Technician with Canada Task Force 2 (CAN-TF2), supporting large-scale and complex emergency response operations across Canada.
Craig brings over a decade of diverse emergency services experience spanning municipal, volunteer, industrial, and wildland firefighting environments. His career includes 13 years with a volunteer fire department, service as a paid-on-call firefighter with Rocky View County, wildland Helitack deployment during the 2011 Slave Lake wildfires with Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, and industrial oilfield firefighting with HSE Integrated and Safety Boss. This multi-disciplinary background provides Craig with a broad operational perspective that strengthens both curriculum development and practical instruction.
As an instructor, Craig is committed to delivering the full scope of required curriculum competencies while going beyond foundational requirements to ensure students develop advanced skills, situational awareness, and operational confidence. His approach emphasizes realistic training scenarios, disciplined execution, and performance standards aligned with the expectations of modern fire departments.
Craig takes a personal interest in student success, investing time in mentorship and career guidance to help recruits navigate hiring processes, prepare for departmental expectations, and advance within their careers. He is passionate about preparing students not only to meet professional standards but to contribute as capable, high-performing members of their communities and fire services.
Jamie Southwell, Assistant Training Coordinator
Jamie Southwell serves as the Assistant Training Coordinator at Canadian Fire Rescue College, bringing over 13 years of operational fire service experience and leadership to firefighter training. He currently serves as a firefighter with the Calgary Airport Fire Services and with the Penhold Fire Department, combining specialized aircraft rescue firefighting with municipal emergency response operations.
Jamie holds the rank of Lieutenant and has served in key leadership roles including Training Officer and company-level officer. His operational specialties include officer development, live fire instruction, hazardous materials response, wildland firefighting, and incident command.
His dual-role experience across airport and municipal fire services provides valuable operational perspective that informs his instructional approach. Jamie emphasizes practical skill development, disciplined execution, safety culture, and decision-making under pressure — preparing recruits for the complex realities of modern emergency response.
He is committed to mentoring the next generation of firefighters and takes pride in helping students develop the technical competence, confidence, and professionalism required to succeed in demanding fire service careers.
Jared Oler, Training Officer
Jared Oler serves as Training Officer at Canadian Fire Rescue College and currently works with Calgary Fire Department. With 12 years of fire service experience, Jared has progressed through ranks from rookie firefighter to Driver/Operator.
His operational experience supports his instructional focus on live fire training and firefighter skill development. Jared emphasizes practical skill mastery, disciplined training standards, and operational readiness aligned with real-world emergency response.
Having advanced through traditional career progression, Jared understands the developmental stages of firefighter growth and tailors his instruction to support recruits at all experience levels. His mentorship approach emphasizes teamwork, accountability, and professional performance under pressure.
Jared is committed to preparing students for successful careers in the fire service and takes pride in supporting recruits as they build technical proficiency and confidence in demanding operational environments.
Cam Clark, Training Officer
Cam Clark serves as a Training Officer at Canadian Fire Rescue College and currently works with Calgary Fire Department. With 17 years of fire service experience, Cam has held a wide range of operational roles across municipal, industrial, wildland, and emergency response agencies.
His career includes service with Comox Fire Department, Oyster River Fire Department, Kearl Lake Fire Department, Cedar Valley Fire Department, British Columbia Emergency Health Services, and Strategic Wildfire and Spill Response. He has served as a Paid-On-Call firefighter, industrial firefighter and rescue technician, wildland firefighter, spill response technician, duty officer, and career municipal firefighter.
Cam specializes in live fire instruction, technical rescue, rope rescue, wildland operations, and emergency medical services. His diverse operational background allows him to bring a multi-disciplinary perspective to firefighter training.
He is passionate about preparing recruits for complex emergency environments and takes pride in mentoring firefighters as they develop technical skills and operational confidence.
Jesse Sinclair, Training Officer
Jesse Sinclair serves as Training Officer at Canadian Fire Rescue College and currently works full-time with Rocky View County Fire Services, where he has advanced to Firefighter and Acting Captain roles. With seven years of experience across multiple departments, Jesse brings diverse operational and leadership experience to firefighter training.
His career began with Trochu Volunteer Fire Department, where he advanced to Firefighter before joining Olds Fire Department as a Paid-On-Call member. There, he progressed through probation, became a Driver/Operator, and later achieved Senior Firefighter status while mentoring new recruits.
Jesse later joined Rocky View County Fire Services, progressing from probationary part-time firefighter to full-time Firefighter. He has since completed Acting Captain training and serves in that leadership role as required. He also participates in multiple departmental training committees focused on live fire, medical response, and NFPA Firefighter standards.
Jesse specializes in live fire instruction, technical rescue, rope rescue, confined space operations, EMS, and incident command. He is passionate about mentorship and helping recruits build professional confidence and operational competence.
Alan Runnells, Training Officer
Alan Runnells brings nearly four decades of fire and emergency service experience to Canadian Fire Rescue College. He currently serves with the Suncor Emergency Response Department and previously held leadership roles including Staff Development Officer with Alberta Health Services. His career began as a volunteer firefighter in rural Alberta, where he developed the operational foundation that shaped his long-standing commitment to training and mentorship.
Alan’s background spans emergency medical services, firefighter development, and instructor leadership. His specialty areas include firefighter training, incident readiness, and emergency response operations. Known for his structured and experience-driven teaching style, he emphasizes practical skill mastery, situational awareness, and professional accountability in high-risk environments.
He is passionate about preparing students for the realities of modern emergency response and takes pride in helping recruits build both competence and confidence. Alan values the strong motivation and work ethic demonstrated by CFRC students and is dedicated to ensuring they graduate prepared for the expectations of today’s fire service.
Outside of instruction, Alan has extensive community service experience and a lifelong passion for aviation.
Raphi Buergi, Training Officer
Raphi Buergi serves as Training Officer at Canadian Fire Rescue College and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant with Didsbury Fire Department while also serving as a career firefighter with Calgary Airport Fire Services.
With eight years of fire service experience, Raphi plays an active role in training planning and delivery at both departments. His involvement in instructional development and occupational health and safety initiatives has supported his progression into leadership roles.
Raphi specializes in live fire instruction, wildland firefighting, ARFF operations, and training leadership. His operational experience across municipal and airport fire services provides valuable insight into diverse emergency response environments.
He is committed to building strong firefighter competencies through structured training programs and takes pride in mentoring recruits as they develop professional confidence and operational readiness for modern fire service careers.
Jason Carl, Training Officer
Jason Carl serves as Training Officer and Instructor at Canadian Fire Rescue College and currently works full time with Rocky View County Fire Services. With 18 years of fire service experience, Jason has progressed through volunteer, paid-per-call, and full-time firefighting roles across multiple departments.
He began his career in Consort Fire Department, where he advanced to Captain and held the position for five years before relocating. He later served with Crossfield Fire Department as an out-of-town firefighter and advanced into a Training Officer role, helping develop and deliver weekly training programs.
Jason joined Rocky View County Fire Services as a full-time firefighter, completed probation, and expanded his instructional leadership by joining the Live Fire Committee, where he supports annual live fire training program delivery.
Specializing in live fire instruction and wildland operations, Jason is passionate about mentorship and takes pride in helping recruits develop strong operational skills and professional confidence.
Lucas Hval, Training Officer
Lucas Hval brings 28 years of extensive fire service experience to Canadian Fire Rescue College as a Training Officer. He currently serves with both Rocky View County Fire Services, where he has worked for 18 years, and Suncor Energy Emergency Services. He has also held operational roles with Lakeland College Fire ETC, Pincher Creek Emergency Services, and High Level Fire Department.
Lucas began his career as a wildland firefighter with Parks Canada and the Northwest Territories before transitioning into municipal fire services. He served as a Volunteer Firefighter, Paid-Per-Call Firefighter, and later as a full-time Firefighter EMT-A before advancing into Training Officer roles. Prior to his fire service career, Lucas served for eight years in the Canadian Armed Forces as an Infantryman, building a strong foundation in leadership, discipline, teamwork, and operational readiness.
Lucas also brings a significant academic background to his instructional role. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Emergency Services and an Emergency Services Technologist Diploma from Lakeland College, a Bachelor of Education specializing in Adult Education from Brock University, an Outdoor Pursuits Diploma from Mount Royal University, and a Diploma in Aquatic and Sport Administration from Mount Royal University.
His specialties include officer development, live fire instruction, technical rescue, rope rescue, wildland firefighting, and training leadership. With decades of frontline, military, academic, and instructional experience, Lucas is dedicated to preparing students for real-world emergency response and mentoring the next generation of firefighters.
Mitchel Webber, Training Officer
Bio coming soon
Dave Brown, Training Officer
Bio coming soon
Kelly Butler, First-Aid Instructor
Kelly Butler serves as a First-Aid Instructor at Canadian Fire Rescue College, bringing nearly a decade of frontline EMS and emergency response experience to EMR, Advanced First Aid, and First Aid instruction. She most recently served with the South Western Ambulance Service within the United Kingdom National Health Service and has extensive experience across ambulance operations, military medicine, dispatch communications, and community emergency response roles.
Kelly’s career includes service with the British Red Cross, the British Royal Army Medical Corps, and the Royal Armoured Corps, where she received training in field hospital operations, battlefield casualties, tropical medicine, medical evacuation operations, and CBRNe response. She later progressed from EMS call taker and dispatcher to Emergency Medical Responder, EMT, Student Paramedic, and ultimately UK Registered Paramedic after completing a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Paramedic Science in 2024.
Her instructional approach emphasizes realistic scenario-based learning, inter-agency communication, critical thinking, and hands-on skill development. Kelly is passionate about helping students build confidence, competence, and resilience while preparing them to provide effective patient care in emergency situations.
Hannah Aiton, First-Aid Instructor
Hannah Aiton serves as a First-Aid Instructor at Canadian Fire Rescue College, specializing in EMR, Advanced First Aid, and First Aid instruction. She brings more than 10 years of EMS experience to CFRC and previously served as a Paramedic with the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom.
Hannah began her paramedic training in 2014, combining academic education with extensive clinical placements across cardiology, maternity, operating room, and pediatric departments. She earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Paramedic Practice in 2017 and went on to serve as a frontline paramedic for seven years. During her career, she completed additional training in wound care, maternal complications, and palliative care while also mentoring student paramedics during clinical placements.
At CFRC, Hannah focuses on delivering engaging, practical instruction tailored to different learning styles. Her teaching approach emphasizes skill development, critical thinking, and realistic scenario-based training designed to prepare students for real-world emergency situations. She is passionate about helping future firefighters and emergency responders build the confidence and knowledge required to succeed in their careers and serve their communities effectively.
Mac Lastiwka, Assistant Training Officer
Mac Lastiwka serves as Assistant Training Officer at Canadian Fire Rescue College, bringing seven years of fire service experience across both civilian and military emergency response environments. He currently serves with the Canadian Armed Forces, the Red Deer County Fire Department, and previously with Crossfield Fire Department, where he progressed from Junior Firefighter to Paid-On-Call Firefighter before transitioning into advanced operational roles.
Mac’s experience includes structural firefighting, live fire operations, and shipboard firefighting within the Royal Canadian Navy. His career progression has taken him from frontline municipal response to specialized military emergency operations and instructional leadership delivering NFPA-based training programs.
He specializes in live fire instruction and firefighter development, focusing on practical skill mastery and realistic training environments that mirror operational demands. Having advanced through multiple service models, Mac understands the challenges faced by new recruits and adapts his instruction to support varying experience levels and learning styles.
Mac is passionate about sharing real-world experience with students and takes pride in watching recruits develop from entry-level learners into confident and capable firefighters prepared for modern emergency response careers.
Administration & Support
Jeynna Siurko, Chairperson
Jeynna Siurko serves as the Chairperson and majority shareholder of the Canadian Fire Rescue College, where she provides board-level leadership, governance oversight, and strategic direction for the organization. As Chairperson of the Board of Directors, she plays a key role in guiding the College’s long-term objectives, supporting executive decision-making, and ensuring that CFRC remains focused on accessible, high-quality fire and emergency services education.
Jeynna is a Treaty Status Indigenous woman from the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. Her background informs her strong commitment to inclusion, opportunity, and community-focused education. She believes that individuals should have a meaningful pathway into the fire services field regardless of their financial circumstances, geographic location, or whether they come from a rural, remote, Indigenous, or otherwise underserved community.
Academically, Jeynna holds a Bachelor of Arts from Grant MacEwan University with a double major in Criminology and Psychology, as well as a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. Her professional background in counselling, mental health, addictions support, and community care provides her with a strong understanding of people, resilience, trauma, leadership, and service. Her resume also reflects professional experience in counselling, crisis support, community mental health, and client-centred care.
Jeynna was also briefly a volunteer firefighter and has maintained a deep respect and passion for the emergency services field. This connection, combined with her educational and professional background, strengthens her commitment to helping CFRC develop ethical, capable, and service-minded future responders.
Working closely with the Director, Jeynna helps steer the overall strategic direction of the College and ensures that major decisions remain aligned with CFRC’s mission, values, and commitment to student opportunity. Her leadership helps position the College as a professionally credible, inclusive, and student-focused institution dedicated to creating meaningful pathways into emergency services careers.
Erik Ives, Director
Erik Ives serves as Director of Canadian Fire Rescue College, providing executive leadership and strategic oversight for one of Canada’s premier firefighter training institutions. He also serves as Assistant Fire Commissioner with the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner and is an active member of Canada Task Force 4 (CanTF4), bringing national-level operational and command experience to CFRC.
With 17 years in the fire service, Erik began his career as a volunteer firefighter before advancing into full-time industrial operations and municipal leadership roles. He completed advanced Fire Officer and Fire Instructor training at the Washington State Patrol Fire Academy and later earned certification as a Fire Investigator. As Fire Captain with Onoway Regional Fire Services, he commanded two stations and led responses to hundreds of emergencies annually, including major industrial incidents, wildfires, and complex hazardous materials events. His railway incident expertise earned selection to CN Rail’s elite Sert-C Colorado Advanced Railcar HazMat Specialist program.
Appointed Assistant Fire Commissioner for Manitoba in 2021, Erik specializes in major-loss fire investigations, fatality incidents, and complex disaster response operations. He also co-leads the Manitoba Emergency Services College Fire Investigation Program, overseeing advanced live-fire training environments.
As Director of CFRC, Erik ensures programs reflect best-in-class training standards across North America. His leadership emphasizes operational realism, instructor excellence, and preparing graduates to meet the evolving demands of modern emergency response.
Ellyn Vogt Coney, Finance Officer
Ellyn Vogt Coney serves as the Finance Officer for the Canadian Fire Rescue College, where she holds a key executive role in the financial administration and strategic planning of the organization. She is responsible for managing the College’s day-to-day financial operations, bookkeeping, financial records, expense tracking, and related administrative processes that support the continued operation and growth of CFRC.
In her role, Ellyn helps ensure that the College’s financial systems remain organized, accurate, and accountable. Her work includes supporting accounts payable and receivable, reconciling financial information, assisting with budgeting, monitoring expenses, and maintaining reliable financial documentation for internal planning and operational decision-making.
Beyond everyday financial management, Ellyn is closely involved in strategic financial planning for the College. Working directly with the Director, she assists in reviewing financial priorities, assessing operational costs, supporting program development, and contributing to decisions that affect the long-term sustainability and success of CFRC.
As a member of the College’s executive leadership structure, Ellyn plays an important role in helping guide responsible financial decisions that align with CFRC’s mission to provide high-quality fire and emergency services training. Her professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail make her a trusted and valued member of the leadership team.
Through her work, Ellyn Vogt Coney provides essential financial oversight and executive support, helping ensure that the Canadian Fire Rescue College remains financially responsible, operationally prepared, and positioned for continued growth.
Pam Weatherall, Admissions Officer
Pam Weatherall plays a vital role in supporting student success as the Admissions Officer at Canadian Fire Rescue College. With a strong background in administration and student services in the Private Vocational College sector, she is often the first point of contact for prospective students and families, guiding them through enrollment, program selection, and admissions processes with clarity and professionalism.
Pam is dedicated to helping applicants navigate the pathway into the fire service by ensuring they understand program expectations, documentation requirements, and training commitments. Her approachable communication style and strong organizational skills help reduce barriers and create a supportive entry experience for students beginning their firefighting careers.
She works closely with instructional and leadership staff to coordinate program logistics and maintain smooth administrative operations that support the overall student journey. Pam takes pride in contributing to an environment where students feel welcomed, informed, and confident as they begin their training.
Her commitment to service excellence and attention to detail make her an essential part of the CFRC team and a trusted resource for students preparing to enter the emergency services profession.
Justin Wollin, Public Information Officer
Justin Wollin serves as Public Information Officer and Peer Fitness Trainer at Canadian Fire Rescue College. With over 15 years of experience in communications leadership, Justin oversees institutional communications, marketing, and student development initiatives. As PIO, Justin leads CFRC’s digital presence, recruitment communications, public relations, media coordination, and strategic messaging, ensuring the College is accurately represented to prospective students, partner organizations, and the broader community. His work strengthens public awareness of firefighter training pathways and supports institutional growth through clear, professional communications.
Justin holds a Master of Arts, Honours in International Relations from the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom and pursued a Bachelor of Journalism, with a minor in Political Science, from Carleton University. His academic background in international affairs, journalism, and political communications supports his ability to develop clear messaging, manage public-facing communications, and connect complex institutional priorities with the audiences CFRC serves.
In his role as Peer Fitness Trainer, Justin is responsible for planning and executing the College’s physical training programs. He designs fitness programming tailored specifically to the operational demands of firefighting, incorporating functional strength, cardiovascular conditioning, and movement patterns that reflect real fireground tasks such as hose advancement, equipment carries, victim drags, stair climbs, and ladder operations. His approach emphasizes injury prevention, operational readiness, and developing the physical resilience required for emergency response careers.
Justin is a ProBoard and IFSAC certified Firefighter and is actively pursuing a career as a municipal firefighter. He is committed to enhancing the student experience at CFRC and takes pride in supporting recruits as they prepare physically, professionally, and mentally for successful careers in the fire service.
Rory Napier, Culinary Director
Rory Napier serves as the Culinary Director at Canadian Fire Rescue College, bringing more than 35 years of culinary and camp operations experience to the College. His background includes extensive work throughout the oil and gas sector and Alberta wildfire camps, where he developed expertise in high-volume meal preparation, logistics, and supporting personnel working in demanding operational environments.
Rory received his culinary training through the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and progressed throughout his career from 2nd Cook to Executive Chef and Director-level leadership roles. He also holds both Red Seal and Blue Seal certifications, reflecting his extensive industry experience and commitment to professional standards.
At CFRC, Rory plays an important role in supporting the student experience by ensuring students have access to high-quality meals and food services throughout their training. His experience working in remote and high-pressure camp environments has prepared him well for the fast-paced demands of supporting firefighter training programs and emergency services personnel.