Strong teams make success that much sweeter

Yesterday, September 4th, was a busy day at Fanshawe with a whole crop of First Year students coming for the start of their post-secondary experience. Orientation day is busy and in our program - Fire Inspection and Fire Safety Education - we had a great turn out and were able to have our new cohort start their learning on the right foot.

Orientation wasn't just for the students though, as I held a team meeting of all the professors that support the learning in the Fire Inspection and Fire Safety Education program this year. This is our first time having 3 cohorts of students and so I am supported by a team of 16 full and part time professors - most being part time and all experts in their respective fields. 13 of the 16 were able to attend the meeting where the agenda topics covered such areas as updates on the program, work progressing, successes over the past two years and what the future holds for our students and the program. A round-table discussion was held during the meeting and as I watched the dialogue between the team take place I was astounded by the collection of professionals we've been able to build to support the program. I had. 2 full time teachers, one a volunteer firefighter and training officer, the other a micro-biologist researcher. A retired fire chief, 3 former police officers and one current officer, 2 fire prevention officers, 2 building officials, a sociology professor and a Doctor of Mathematics and Physics... and those were the ones that could attend.

I always tell the students that they are very fortunate in that we are able to provide such a diverse array of subject matter experts to enhance their learning, I have to say though, that I am also very fortunate that as a first time program coordinator in a new and unique program, I have this team to support the program....and me. My job is not only made so much easier but it is a joy to come to work and interact, learn and laugh with them every day.

The Fire Inspection and Fire Safety Education program will have it's first graduates this spring and I truly believe that our students will be prepared to enter the field of fire prevention at a run. This is only possible by the team that's been crafted together here at Fanshawe to make it happen.

And that makes the student's success all the more sweeter for me, because of the team that makes it happen...

Cheers