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The future of public safety: Highlights from Security • Police • Fire Career Expo in Vancouver

Building on the success of last year’s events in Toronto and Calgary, the Security • Police • Fire Career Expo expanded to three locations in 2024, with its latest installment held in Vancouver. On Thursday, May 16, industry professionals in public safety gathered at Simon Fraser University’s Harbour Centre Concourse & Segal Centre to scout for promising new recruits.

With 75 pre-registrations and over 150 people in the room, the expo floor was abuzz with both exhibitors and attendees. Exhibitors were visited by a wide demographic of attendees—from students about to graduate, to experienced professionals looking for a career change.

At 11 a.m., the first mock interview session kicked off with assistance from the event’s mentors. Attendees could sign up for a timeslot to interview with experienced police officers, firefighters and security professionals, receiving feedback on their presentation and answers. Each industry mentor provided advice on how candidates could excel in future job interviews. Throughout the day, 26 enthusiastic attendees had the opportunity to hone their interviewing skills.

“I drove six hours from the Okanagan to visit this event, and it was fantastic. Having all the services in one place to speak with and learn from was very beneficial,” said Ben Williams, attendee.

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The event’s police, fire and security mentors included Chief Neil Dubord of Delta Police Department; Deputy Chief Todd Matsumoto and Insp. Novi Jette of Surrey Police Service; Gunter Kramer, acting assistant chief of professional development and training at North Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services; Lt. Mark Baker and Darcy Gordon of Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services; Brian Ison, managing partner of Pacrim Risk and Security Consulting; and Liz Jones, senior manager of City Protective Services at City of Vancouver.

Some of the event’s exhibitors included BCIT Forensics, Calgary Police Service, CPKC Police Service, City of Surrey, Correctional Service Canada, GardaWorld, Justice Institute of British Columbia, Guardteck Security Co., Lakeland College, Medicine Hat Police Service, New Westminster Police Department, Northern Health, Nunavik Police Service, Regina Police Service, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, B.C. RCMP 9-1-1 Police Dispatchers, Saanich Police Department, Securitas, Surrey Police Service, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, Training Division Fire Academy, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver Police Department, West Vancouver Police Department, and the Government of Yukon’s Department of Justice.

The event ended at 3 p.m., with attendees and exhibitors departing in high spirits. “I drove six hours from the Okanagan to visit this event, and it was fantastic. Having all the services in one place to speak with and learn from was very beneficial,” said Ben Williams, attendee.

This day wouldn’t have been possible without the help of our sponsors. Thank you to our platinum level sponsor, Vancouver Police Department, and our gold level sponsor, Nunavik Police Service.

Interested in exhibiting at or attending our Edmonton Security • Police • Fire Career Expo on Oct. 29? Find more information at www.emergencyservicesexpo.ca.

Scroll through the gallery below to see more pictures from the event.