Executive Committee

Chairperson - Rick Brown

Rick Brown has over 32 years experience in the fire service, including 30 years of Hazmat response with Toronto Fire Services. He is also experienced with spill response contractors, working part time with numerous companies, starting over 23 years ago. Rick has been sharing his knowledge, through facilitation of instructional programs to all disciplines of emergency services, industry and commercial organizations.

Vice Chair - Steve Clark

Steve is an Acting Captain, and member of his departments Hazardous Materials team. Previous to that, he worked in the private sector as a responder for a national spill response contractor. Steve has been in the fire service for over 10 years, and has taught, written, and spoken on Hazardous materials topics internationally.

EMS Branch Director - Daniel Stein

Dan is currently an Advanced Care Paramedic on York Region’s Special Response Unit. He has been on this specialized team for over 2 years and has taken on the role as the teams Hazardous Materials and CBRNE specialist. Prior to this, he has worked as a Paramedic for both York Region and the County of Simcoe over the past 8 years. He continues to expand on his knowledge base with advanced training in Hazmat and CBRNE life support.

Fire Branch Director - Kirk Fudge

Having 22 years in the Emergency Serices and worked in all three disciplines, I fully understand the need for an association that will further the safe working conditions and knowledge of its members. We as a community need to be proactive and promote unity between the services.

His current role is with the Toronto Fire Services as an Acting Captain with the Hazardous Materials Special Operations Division

Police Branch Director - Andy Olesen

With 30 years in law enforcement, Andy has developed a wide range of practical and operational experience.

Serving as team / program leader for units such as, CBRNE, Ground Search and Rescue, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (drone) among others. Andy has been responsible for maintaining operational readiness and capabilities for a large urban area.

Andy has also served for many years as the chairperson for an emergency services committee of police, fire, paramedic, and regional emergency service planners, responsible for planning and preparing coordinated event response to a large urban centre.

I look forward to working with OHMRA and the emergency responder community

Secretary - Bob Burland

Robert is 12 year veteran with Toronto Fire Services focusing his career for the past 5 years as a Hazmat Tech. Prior to joining TFS, he spent many years in the chemical manufacturing, teaching and wilderness survival industries. Robert is passionate about the safety aspect surrounding emergency services.

Media Relations - Larry Thorne

Larry is a Fire Buff and member of the Greater Toronto Multiple Alarm Association, which operates Toronto Fire's Canteen (Support 7) in 2009.

Larry is well known and respected by the Fire Family around the world, as well as by local Police and EMS services.

Membership Director - Jake Herring

Jake has 20 years of both volunteer and career firefighting experience coupled with a desire to learn as much as possible about all aspects of emergency service work. He is currently a Fire Department Training Officer, in which he deals with many aspects of the Hazmat team.