About

About Us

Representing professional firefighters in Ontario is not new. Our parent body, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) was formed in 1918, with the first provincial organization created in 1920, known then as the Provincial Federation of Ontario Fire Fighters (PFOFF), and now as the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association (OPFFA).

Our Mission is to provide leadership and support that improves the work and lives of Ontario’s fire service professionals.

Our Core Values are Respect, Integrity, Dedication, Dialogue, and Collaboration

The OPFFA is an Association Run For and By the Membership.

The Principal officers (President and Secretary-Treasurer) are elected by a per capita voting basis where the local votes in its previous 12-month average membership size. Four Zone Directors are elected through a proportionate voting system within their respective zone, and the Zone Director for Toronto is appointed by the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Association (TPFFA).

OPFFA Board of Directors

		President, Carmen Santoro Carmen recently retired from the Oakville Fire Department at the rank of Captain with over 30 years in the fire service. During his time as an Oakville firefighter, Carmen served as President of the Oakville Professional Fire Fighters Association for almost 20 years. He has served the OPFFA initially as elected OPFFA District Vice President (2010-2014) and was then elected President from 2014-2016. Following that he was he was re-elected as President of the Oakville Professional Fire Fighters Association and served until his retirement from Oakville Fire in September of 2020. In June of 2020, Carmen re-elected to serve as the OPFFA's President for another 2-year term.
		Secretary-Treasurer, Greg Horton Greg is a Captain with Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services and holds the rank of Captain with 21 years in the Fire Service. Greg served the Richmond Hill Professional Fire Fighters Association L-1957 for 17 years as a Steward, Vice-President and 14 years as Local President. He also served at the OPFFA as a Member & Chair of the Education Committee, and at the IAFF as an Advocate. In June 2020, Greg was elected to serve as the OPFFA'S Secretary-Treasurer for a 2-year term.
		Zone 1 Director, Peter Dyson Peter has been with the Oshawa Fire Service for over 14 years and currently serves as the President of the Oshawa Professional Fire Fighters Association IAFF local 465. Prior to serving as President, Peter has held numerous roles within the local including Vice President, Grievance Committee Chair, Government Relations Committee Chair, Trustee and has served on numerous other committees. In June 2020, Peter was elected to serve as the Zone 1 Director representing 20 Locals, ensuring their voice is heard at the provincial table.
		Zone 2 Director, Mark LaLonde <insert bio> In June 2020, Mark was elected to to serve as the Zone 2 Director representing 21 Locals, ensuring their voice is heard at the provincial table.
		Zone 3 Director, Dan Vanderlelie Dan has been a firefighter for 21 years and currently holds the position of Acting Platoon Chief with the Burlington Fire Department. As a member of the Burlington Professional Firefighters Association, he has served as president for the past 15 years. Dan served as an OPFFA District Vice President for four years and has been involved on numerous committees within the OPFFA over the past 18 years. In June 2020, Dan was elected to to serve as the Zone 3 Director representing 20 Locals, ensuring their voice is heard at the provincial table.
		Zone 4 Director, Chris Varcoe <insert bio> In June 2020, Chris was elected to to serve as the Zone 4 Director representing 21 Locals, ensuring their voice is heard at the provincial table.
		Zone 5 Director, Kevin McCarthy Kevin has served the Toronto Fire Services for more than 31 years. Kevin was elected Captain in 1999 during the amalgamation of the City of Toronto. He has held many roles over the years; a member of the Executive Board and then Vice President for two consecutive terms. In 2020 Kevin was elected President of the Toronto Professional Firefighters Association which is the largest Fire Association in Canada and the fifth largest organization in North America. Kevin previously served the OPFFA as Chair of the Benefits Committee. In June 2020, Kevin was appointed by the TPFFA to to serve as the Zone 5 Director representing the Toronto Local 3888, ensuring their voice is heard at the provincial table.

The OPFFA, headquartered in Toronto, is more than 11,000 members strong.