Each year, Fire Service Women Ontario recognizes role models and mentors in the fire service community who exemplify our values through our annual awards. See our award categories below.
Each year, Fire Service Women Ontario recognizes role models and mentors in the fire service community who exemplify our values through our annual awards. See our award categories below.
Anyone can submit a nomination for an FSWO award. You do not need to be a FSWO member or a member of the fire service to submit a nomination.
Consider the criteria for each award below carefully. You may nominate the same person/organization in more than one category if it suits.
Nominees must be members of FSWO. We are happy to check your nominee’s member status if you wish – just send our registrar an email at registrar@fswo.ca. You are also invited to buy your nominee a membership along with the nomination in order to be considered for the award. It’s a meaningful gift for a fire service member who exemplifies our award criteria! Visit our membership page.
Please consider if the nominee’s fire chief and/or department would support or recognize the potential award winner. While this support is not required per se, FSWO publishes the name of the winners’ fire departments which is intended to shine a positive light on the department.
Strong applications consider and celebrate the nominee’s fire service career and contributions from many points of view. If you have had a positive experience with the nominee, this is likely true of many of your colleagues. Consider asking them to add to your nomination letter. They may be able to speak to a different time in the nominee’s career, or to their expertise in a different division, or even to specific examples that demonstrate their suitability for the award. While a formal nomination letter from each supporter is not required, their name, position and strong words of support give FSWO a fuller picture of the many outstanding qualities of your candidate.
Please consider if the nominee wishes to be in the spotlight. While most of us are somewhat uncomfortable with being singled out for praise, there are some cases where a nominee might decline this honour. Consider asking your nominee for their consent if you suspect there could be a concern with being publicly recognized.
Successful applications usually contain a minimum of 500 words.
Successful recipients of FSWO awards will be notified and invited to attend the awards presentation held in conjunction with the FSWO annual fall training symposium. Further details about this year’s awards presentations will also be sent to FSWO members via email. Recipients of the FSWO awards will be contacted in advance of the symposium where they will be provided further details about the awards presentation and any subsequent materials needed (i.e. approved description and photos). A profile of the winner may also be included in one or more of the following FSWO communications:
- Canadian Firefighter magazine
- FSWO e-newsletter, website and social media
- FSWO press release
For more information or questions about submission criteria, the selection process or awards presentations, please contact president@fswo.ca.
Presented annually to a current FSWO member who has been nominated by his or her peers and selected by the FSWO President. This award recognizes the individual's commitment to the goals and objectives of FSWO and their contribution to the fire service and their community. The award will recognize a FSWO member who has shown to be an innovative leader who has blazed a trail for others to follow.
Recognizes an individual, group, department or organization that has, through their outstanding effort and exemplary action, demonstrated an extraordinary commitment in supporting and furthering the mandate of FSWO by "Educating, Encouraging and Empowering” women in the fire service.
The Diversity and Inclusion Award highlights the unique and special efforts of people and/or organizations who demonstrate leadership and commitment to finding innovative ways to support the mandate of FSWO both within and outside the fire service community.
Recognizes an individual who demonstrates courage in facing hardship and adversity. In showing strength against adversity, this individual also embodies the mandate of FSWO by educating, encouraging and empowering women in the fire service. This award is sponsored by Starfield Lion.
On very unique occasions, FSWO will recognize the special contributions of FSWO members that simply cannot be categorized by our regular annual awards.