as Sirens For Life 2nd Annual Campaign ramps up
Ontario Provincial Police Association members and their families are invited to donate blood anytime between June 27th and September 3rd as First Responder departments compete to bring in the most blood donations in the 2nd Annual Sirens For Life.
The Sirens For Life Kickoff Event is happening Saturday June 22, 2024 from 10am-2pm at the Barrie Emergency Services Campus. Firehouse Subs will be donating free sub coupons to the first many donors to book appointments at this event. Cake, Tim Horton’s coffee and treats and much more will be a part of this event being organized by Cheryl Russell, the Community Development Manager Donor Relations and Collections for the Canadian Blood Services in Barrie.
Many of our OPPA Members are regular donors throughout the province. Be sure to let them know when you donate that you are contributing to the Sirens For Life event on behalf of the Ontario Provincial Police Association! Book your appointment online at Blood.ca.
Mindset Matters – Where Shared Experiences Connect People
Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program
Wednesday, March 6th – 10:00am ET – 11:00am ET
Featuring Retired OPP Officer and President of the OPPVA, Robert Pilon – Rob Pilon’s 30+ Year Journey of Service, Support and Leadership
Hosted by Carl Dalton, CEO, Dalton Associates
Join us on Wednesday, March 6th, from 10:00am EST – 11:00am EST where Carl Dalton (CEO of Dalton Associates), will have a conversation with retired OPP Officer and President of the OPPVA, Robert Pilon. Robert will share the journey of his 30+ year career through his perspectives as:
- A father of four, who faithfully served with the support and encouragement of his wife in numerous communities throughout Northern Ontario
- A father of a police family – two of his four children followed him into policing and leadership – his daughter who recently retired as a Sergeant in the OPP North Bay Provincial Communications Centre and his son Mike is Chief Superintendent at Northeast Regional Headquarters; his other two children are educators.
- An officer who experienced his own struggles which motivated him to become a leader and to provide the support he believes everyone is due in this profession – Rob’s final position was Superintendent at OPP Northeast Region HQ
- A Retiree since 2003 and a grandfather
Rob is here to share his wisdom and passion regarding the importance of seeking help when needed. He wants everyone to know there is no shame in doing so even though this was not always the case. He believes no one should suffer alone particularly with so many resources now available. He is passionate about the power of connecting with others during difficult times and he is also here to encourage participation in the OPPVA as one of those vital supports. Rob has been a member of the OPP Veterans Association since 1999, a member of the Board since 2016 and since 2022 has served as President.
Visit www.encompascare.ca to learn more.
Note: To ensure your anonymity, your registration information will ONLY be available to the hosts from Dalton Associates. Registrants will NOT have the option of turning on their camera or microphone at any time. Questions will be managed through the text Q&A which are sent only to the hosts – Dalton Associates. They will either answer those questions verbally without referencing the name of the participant who asked the question, or privately through the text function.
All sessions will be delivered through the PHIPA compliant version of Zoom Webinar.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact encompas@daltonassociates.ca
Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program
Wednesday, December 6th – 10:00am ET – 11:00am ET
About the Speaker:
Elizabeth is a First Responder spouse of both a Canadian Armed Forces reservist and Police Sergeant. Her husband of 20 years, Andrew Gough CD is a Military Police/Close Protection Operator and medically retired Police Sergeant with London Police Service. Together they founded V-EH! Veterans and Everyday Heroes in 2019 – a federal not-for-profit organization. They have spoken on a number of platforms, sharing their journey through an OSI to offer their reflections on Post Traumatic Growth. In Elizabeth’s professional life, she is an Early Years Advisor with the Ministry of Education/Ontario Public Service and is also a dedicated community volunteer and leader on several initiatives to champion sport, children, and women’s causes. Elizabeth and Andrew have two teenage children and reside in St. Thomas Ontario.
About the Session:
Join us on Wednesday, December 6th, from 10:00am ET – 11:00am ET to have a conversation with Elizabeth Gough, a first responder spouse, as she provides an intimate and honest account of her experience living with and loving a first responder with an Operational Stress Injury. She will share reflections on her family’s trauma journey – where their story with an OSI began and their collective experience with it. Elizabeth will take us on a journey through the difficult identification of the injury, her loving assertation that her spouse seek help, life and culture as a military and police family, parenting in a home of trauma, pathways of healing, and unexpected possibilities. Elizabeth may be joined by her eighteen-year-old daughter Ava who will share her reflection on growing up with a Dad with an OSI. This session will delve into the impacts of PTSD, not just on the serving member but also on the spouse and family.
Visit www.encompascare.ca to learn more.
Note: To ensure your anonymity, your registration information will ONLY be available to the hosts from Dalton Associates. Registrants will NOT have the option of turning on their camera or microphone at any time. Questions will be managed through the text Q&A which are sent only to the hosts – Dalton Associates. They will either answer those questions verbally without referencing the name of the participant who asked the question, or privately through the text function.
All sessions will be delivered through the PHIPA compliant version of Zoom Webinar.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact encompas@daltonassociates.ca
The 2023 OPP Association President’s Banquet was well attended and meaningful for all. The President John Cerasuolo, VP David Sabatini and the OPPA Board of Directors thanks all who attended.
Special thank you to our honoured guests:
• The Attorney General of Ontario, the Honourable Doug Downey
• The Parliamentary Assistant to the Attorney General of Ontario Brian Saunderson
• The Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police Thomas Carrique
• OPP Provincial Commander Mary Silverthorn
• OPP Deputy Commissioner Chris Harkins
• OPP Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns
• OPP Deputy Commissioner Rohan Thompson
Congratulations to all Members and Staff recognized and who received awards.
Carrie Lanning was recognized for being a PACE Graduate.
Honourary Life Memberships were awarded to OPPA Head Office Staff Members Carolyn Soderberg, Wayne White, Emma Storey and Alexandra Micoli.
Harry deJong was recognzied for his long service to the OPP Association as Editor of the OPPA’s Beyond the Badge Magazine from 2005-2023.
The 2023 OPPA Bill Elliott Member of the Year Award was presented to Jill Lewis from Branch 6.
A ‘Victim Services Presentation’ to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond their call of duty to assist families of our fallen and injured officers during the past year as we dealt with the line of duty deaths of Provincial Constable Greg Pierzchala, Sergeant Eric Mueller and Detective Constable Steven Tourangeau. Honoured members were James Tremblay, Ionut (John) Mihuta, Carla Birnie Lise Durocher, Steve McDade, Jamie-Lynn Meyer and Julie Prud’homme.
The formalities of the evening concluded with a presentation to our member, Marc Lauzon, one of our injured officers who has made remarkable progress from the night of the incident of our fallen brother Eric Mueller. Marc is an impressive example of resilience in relation to such a tragic incident.
Sincere appreciation including several standing ovations was a fitting way to end the 2023 OPPA AGM. Thank you to each and every member and staff member who made a contribution to the success of this annual special week for the OPP Association.
Watch videos from the event on OPP Association TikTok by clicking on image below
Photo album of the event is posted on the Ontario Provincial Police Association Facebook page
Sunday, September 10th, 2023 is World Suicide Prevention Day.
Being a First Responder professional can be both rewarding and challenging. From putting yourself on the front line of potentially life-threatening situations to being repeatedly exposed to trauma and the hardships of others.
The stress of being a First Responder can impact you both professionally and personally and sometimes in the form of suicidal ideation.
The mental toll of your profession is further compounded by the need to appear brave, strong, and resilient, which often prevents First Responders from seeking help.
The Encompas Program aims to reduce the barriers and stigma associated with mental health every day by providing culturally diverse mental health and wellness counseling and support, without the added stress of wait lists.
Suicidal feelings can create a darkness where nothing else can be seen. If that is where you are, you are not alone and you deserve support. Asking for help can be the hardest thing to do when you are in that dark place, where all hope seems to be lost. We are here to sit with you in the dark until you find hope again. #itsokaytonotbeokay
Visit encompascare.ca or call us 24/7: 1-866-794-9117
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