Each summer, thousands of the most prominent fire and emergency service leaders from across North America and around the globe come to Fire-Rescue International (FRI). This year, ProspectHR MMI is heading to Kansas City, Missouri at the Kansas City Convention Center, August 16 - 18, 2023. 

Helen Hale Tomasik, Certified Human Resources Leader and our Director of Business Development together with Karen Roche, Fire Chief for the City of Burlington will be speaking on the topic of “Creating an Inclusive Recruitment and Selection Process using the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)”. 

This month we caught up with Helen and Karen for a Q+A discussion on what they are looking forward to and to get an overview of what their presentation will cover. 

Helen and Karen, we’re so glad to get some time with you! We know you’re busy preparing to travel to Kansas City next month for the Fire-Rescue International Conference and we'd love to get your thoughts on a few questions. 

Helen, what are you most looking forward to? 

Reconnecting with Fire Chiefs as I have not attended an in-person conference with Fire Services leadership since 2019 due to the COVID pandemic.

Karen, what kinds of professionals will be in attendance at the conference?

Fire Chiefs and Senior Officers in Fire Services from all over the world

Helen, how did it come about that you are co-presenting with Karen Roche?

Chief Roche has used the multi mini interviews (MMI) for a number of years and for the past 2 years she has used our virtual MMI to recruit and select firefighters.  In fact City of Burlington was the first Fire Service in Canada to use our virtual platform.  Karen asked me to join her to share the positive outcomes that can be achieved by using the MMI recruitment and selection process.

Karen, what do you most want your audience to know or understand after attending the presentation? 

That the MMI is a very inclusive recruitment process that has enabled our Fire Service to hire people that are more open-minded, well-rounded, and have the human attributes that contribute to a holistic and welcoming environment.  For me, the MMI process has highlighted the fact that hiring people who share common soft skill attributes can shift the culture of a fire service, one that celebrates the differences in a group of people who have different lifestyles, genders, racial backgrounds.  The MMI has helped us become a more empathetic and compassionate service.

Helen, have you been to Kansas City before?

This will be my first visit.

And Karen? 

I was there for an Emergency Medicine Conference in early 2000.

Is there anything you’re looking forward to experiencing while you’re there? 

We are both looking forward to learning from other Fire Chiefs through attending the presentations as well as the networking that the FRI Conference provides.

Thank you for your time Helen & Karen, we will catch up again with you before you leave for Kansas City and also keep everyone up to date on the happenings at the conference!

For more information on the Fire-Rescue International event visit 2023fri.eventscribe.net/index.asp