JENN DAWKINS

Jenn Dawkins began her career in Maple Ridge in 1997 where she served 3 years before getting hired in Vancouver in 2000. Currently an acting Captain in Suppression Jenn has been part of several specialties including hazmat, heavy rescue and HUSAR and has worked in many divisions including Recruitment and Outreach, Public Education, and the Training Division. She has been an Instructor with the Justice Institute of BC for several years. In 2010,  Jenn was one of the founders of Camp Ignite and served as the Program Director for its first 11 years. She has a Certificate in Emergency Management and is currently completing her Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies. In 2021 Jenn became a board member for Fire Service Ontario and through that experience is excited to be FSWBC Founding President and continue her role as a leader serving the Women in the Fire Service British Columbia. 

DEBRA ROGERS

Debra is a firefighter with Campbell River Fire Department. She started her career as a fire dispatcher in 2009 and transitioned to the fire suppression division in 2017. Recently Debra completed her NFPA 1033 and is excited about a  new path that includes fire investigation. 

Debra has served her union as both a Trustee and a Secretary. She formerly served on the board of Camp Ignite before launching the Island Ignite Mentorship Society on Vancouver Island. She is the sitting president at Island Ignite and keeps busy collaborating with some great fire service woman to develop a regional program that engages island youth. Debra is passionate about advancing opportunities and fostering enhanced representation for women in the fire service. She aims to align with others who are eagerly supporting others and remains committed to professional development. 

ERIN WILSON

Erin Wilson is a Lieutenant with the Halfmoon Bay Volunteer Fire Department on the Sunshine Coast. She has been with the department for seven years and recently completed Fire Officer Level 1 certification through the JIBC.  Erin is the chairperson of her department's Health and Safety Committee and the Fire Fighters Association and is often found in the local community promoting fire education and safety. She is excited to become more involved in the Provincial Fire Smart program in 2023, as well as the BC Wildfire Service. As a new board member, Erin is excited to promote inclusion and diversity in the volunteer departments across British Columbia.

Director

LAURA DODMAN

Laura is an Assistant Fire Chief with Creston Fire Rescue Service. She started her fire service career in 1998 as a Paid-On-Call, moving up through the ranks and was the first female Captain in Creston Fire Rescue’s history. During the P-O-C years, she worked a few different jobs, like Crusher Operator in a gravel pit, Administrator for the Business Development Office and lastly, Executive Director for a Non-Profit that ran the Woman’s Shelter, Outreach Centre Camp, and Licensed Childcare Facility. In 2019 I was hired full-time as Assistant Chief, the first Female Chief Officer for the Creston Valley. I have completed numerous disciplines in fire ground operations, a Certificate in Fire Service Leadership from Dalhousie University, Incident Command 400, NFPA Fire Officer’s accreditation and Blue Card Hazard Zone Incident Commander and sectors of Emergency Management. I am currently initiating the start of Camp Ignite – Kootenay Division to run annually in July. I look forward to working with all the fantastic women here and supporting our sisters and brothers throughout.

Director

CARLENE PIRES

Carlene Pires is a Paid-On-Call Captain with Kootenay Boundary Regional

Fire Rescue (KBRFR), in Trail, B.C. She has been a POC Firefighter since

2015, rising through the ranks to Lieutenant in 2019 and recently became the first woman in KBRFRs 40-year history to be promoted to Captain. She is licenced as an EMR and is a First Responder instructor for her regional service. Currently balancing her role as a station officer with being a mom and her career in Emergency Management with the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary as the Emergency Program and FireSmart Coordinator for their Regional Emergency Program. Outside of Fire and Emergency Services, she likes to recreate in the Kootenay mountains with her two shepherds,

play softball in the summer and spend time with her family.

Always looking to expand her knowledge, she recently completed her Fire Officer 1 Certificate and Fire Inspector 1 and is currently working on her Fire Prevention Officer Certificate. She is participating in the planning committee to bring Camp Ignite – teenage girls’ firefighting camp, to the Kootenays.

Living in rural BC, she understands the importance of having strong peer

support and mentorship to recruit, retain and advance as a woman in the fire service and the need for greater diversity and inclusivity.

As a new board member, Carlene is excited to focus on growing the

membership, supporting and promoting the FSWBC mentorship program, and, most importantly, giving back to others what she had for herself in terms of encouragement, leadership, and advocacy.

Director

LEANNE INGHAM

Leanne Ingham is the Superintendent of Provincial Operations with the BC Wildfire Service. She started fighting wildfire back in 1998 and has held many roles spanning from unit crew member, initial attack crew leader, Forest Protection Assistant, Aviation Technician and Superintendent of Provincial Aviation during her career to date before moving into her current role in 2021.  

On wildfires, Leanne has primarily specialized in aviation roles in the field in the last decade, including being on a provincial Incident Management Team from 2014 to 2018 as the Air Operations Branch Director and more recently has focused exclusively on the Helicopter Coordinator role, coordinating the aerial response over the fire from the front seat of a helicopter during some of BC’s most significant wildfire seasons on record. She has also enjoyed the opportunity to support partner wildfire agencies in Australia, Ontario and the Yukon from the air while on deployment.  

Leanne is currently the Project Lead for BCWS’ “365 Readiness Project”, which is supporting the organization's shift to being an all-hazards response capable organization to support the Province in times of crisis. Leanne has a Master's in Disaster and Emergency Management from Royal Roads University and a passion for bringing together agencies and partners to collaborate on building relationships and developing solutions in advance of and during significant incidents.   

Outside of work, Leanne enjoys road cycling, paddle boarding, biathlon, distance trail running and life on the farm with her faithful dog Rudy and an assortment of farm animals just outside of Armstrong, BC.

SABA ASADI

Saba Asadi has been a dedicated firefighter with New West since 2020. She’s been involved in Camp Ignite and JIBC’s firefighting workshops as a mentor.

Prior to firefighting, Saba worked as a Housing Outreach Worker and a Peer Support Worker in the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, supporting women living with addiction, mental health issues, and homelessness.

Saba has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Simon Fraser University and she’s keen to pursue more education in related fields in the future.

Outside of her professional duties, she is passionate about all things mountains, and motorcycle touring. She is also becoming an ACMG Rock Climbing Instructor so she can share her passion with more people in the future.

Saba is very excited to be joining the FSWBC board and looking forward to engaging with the fire service in a new capacity.

ERIN HOLLOWAY

Erin has been with Kamloops Fire Rescue since 2001, becoming the first female confirmed officer in KFR history since its inception in 1884. First serving as a lieutenant in 2017 and promoted to Captain in 2020. Erin attended the 23rd JIBC recruit class in 2000 after fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming a fire fighter. Recently she was involved in the latest recruitment with KFR as part of the interview panel, helping to hire future firefighters. This year, Erin has taken over the organization of the girls day of fire fighting in Kamloops, which gives girls in grades 10-12 the opportunity to try different aspects of the job; including live fire, auto ex and rope rescue. Previously, Erin was a former national level gymnast, competing at two nationals for team BC and has participated on rugby, volleyball and soccer teams over the years. She has two daughters, 17 and 9 and a little white rabbit who came home from a farm with her last year. When off shift Erin likes to mountain bike in the hills around Kamloops, CrossFit, hike, snowboarding  Sun Peaks, working in Reno’s at her home and cooking and hosting dinner parties. Erin is looking forward to being part of a organization that supports and inspires both women and allys in the fire service.

MARTINA WALL

Martina Wall, from Telkwa, BC, embodies the spirit of service and community. For over 16 years, she has been a part of the fire service.

Driven by her passion for community and the well-being of her fire family, Martina has focused her efforts on advocating for mental health awareness and support within the fire service. As believer in the importance of camaraderie and support networks, she has worked tirelessly to foster a culture of openness and support within her firefighting family.

Martina's dedication extends beyond her role as a firefighter. She is deeply committed to empowering the next generation of firefighters, particularly young women, encouraging them to play an active role in the fire service and providing mentorship and guidance along the way.

In addition to her work within the fire service, Martina is a passionate advocate for holistic wellness. As a wellness entrepreneur and women's retreat facilitator, she helps others nourish their mind, body, and spirit, fostering a sense of balance and fulfillment in their lives.

For Martina, the fire service isn't just a job—it's a way of life. It's a calling that brings together her sense of duty, her passion for community, and her commitment to making a difference in the world. With her unwavering dedication and compassionate spirit, Martina Wall continues to inspire and uplift those around her, both within the fire service and beyond.

NICOLE VERMETTE

Nicole Vermette has been a volunteer firefighter with Smithers Fire Rescue since November 2020 and prior to that worked as a wildfire fighter for three seasons. She has obtained her NFPA 1001, Fire Instructor Level 1, Company Inspections, and multiple wildfire courses. She is also currently one of the WSPP-WFF1 instructors. She enjoys being actively involved with both fire hall and community events, including, career days, fire prevention week, Fire Smart initiatives, Honour Guard, and the new Smithers junior firefighter program. She also has her CISM Certificate and volunteers as a peer supporter with the local Critical Incident Response Team. She advocates for wellness for first responders and has been actively involved in wellness initiatives at the fire hall. During the day she works as a probation officer and currently manages the local community corrections office. Nicole feels passionately about advocating for diversity and inclusion and helping to make the fire service feel more welcoming for everyone. She hopes to do this through mentorship, education, and empowerment.