TOP STORIES, delivered to your inbox. “So I look forward to maintaining that standard and that level of respect in the province.” Vaughan hired its first frontline female firefighter in 1991. She landed one of them.From there she rose through the ranks, becoming an acting captain in 2009, a captain in 2013, and now deputy fire chief.Along the way, Mrs. Rizzi spent a lot of time educating herself and others.She holds a masters degree in disaster and emergency management and is currently working on a doctorate at York University. “Sometimes, I’ve had to put my family on the back seat for my career or for my schooling.
Not that it was expected, it was just that’s what I saw, that’s what I knew,” Mrs. Rizzi said. In Vaughan, however, everyone is treated equally, Mrs. Rizzi said. June 5, 2018, Vaughan, Ont.
She landed one of them.From there she rose through the ranks, becoming an acting captain in 2009, a captain in 2013, and now deputy fire chief.Along the way, Mrs. Rizzi spent a lot of time educating herself and others.She holds a masters degree in disaster and emergency management and is currently working on a doctorate at York University. “You get a lot of fulfillment and satisfaction out of helping people,” Mrs. Rizzi said. Chief Rizzi was recognized with the Portraits of Giving ward for her effort with the Vaughan Food Bank and giving back to the community through her volunteer work. But then a firefighter she swam with on a masters swim team, suggested she think about a career in firefighting.Vaughan’s fire department was hiring at the time, so Mrs. Rizzi, along with about 2,500 others, applied for one of 16 spots. Mrs. Rizzi has also achieved the highest level of incident command qualifications in Canada and the United States, among myriad other certifications. It doesn’t matter who it is. —Deryn Rizzi is the chief of Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service. I now challenge @ChiefAyotte, @BoyesWilliam & @JesseOshell. She was also part of Ontario’s cycling team and competed at the national level. It certainly isn’t a typical summer, but we are adapting. “We don’t look at this as a gender-based job as much as people from the outside looking in might,” she said. My career has been my life in terms of trying to educate myself, better myself, to get to the point where I am now,” Mrs. Rizzi, a longtime Newmarket resident, said. Sign Up. “As much as the schooling, and everything else helps, that is the most important.”Mrs. “I think you’re successful in a career when it’s your passion. There have been major strides since then, but firefighting remains a male dominated profession. “Deryn is a 12-year veteran of our service and her education speaks for itself. She speaks publicly nationally and internationally on topics ranging from active threats to LGBTQ+. “I think you’re successful in a career when it’s your passion. Chief Rizzi assisted the Fire Service Women of Ontario (FSWO) with grant writing to successfully secure significant grant funding from Status of Women Canada, to conduct research over a three-year period to address systemic barriers and gender inequalities currently experienced by female firefighters in Ontario due to workplace structures and culture, recruitment strategies, and organizational policies.
“So I look forward to maintaining that standard and that level of respect in the province.” Vaughan hired its first frontline female firefighter in 1991.
Rizzi, who grew up in Markham, earned a bachelor’s degree and a teaching degree from Queen’s University.She began her career as a teacher in York Region, but after a few years decided it was time for a change. Her organizational skills are just incredible also.” As deputy chief of support services, Mrs. Rizzi will be in charge of public education, fire prevention, training and communications.“When I was hired on, the City of Vaughan Fire Rescue Service was known as the best fire department in Ontario,” she said. But then a firefighter she swam with on a masters swim team, suggested she think about a career in firefighting.Vaughan’s fire department was hiring at the time, so Mrs. Rizzi, along with about 2,500 others, applied for one of 16 spots.