Fire Chief Karen Fry was recognized for her contributions to fire safety, her advocacy on behalf of fire service professionals and the public, and her service as an exemplary leader and role model for firefighters everywhere.
Fry is Vancouver’s first female fire chief and general manager of Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, the largest fire department led by a woman in Canada.
She began her career in the fire service as a fire dispatcher with Nanaimo Fire Rescue. She worked her way up the ranks, both in Nanaimo and the City of Surrey, before being appointed as the fire chief for the City of Nanaimo in 2017. She has served in her current role with Vancouver Fire Rescue since 2020 and currently also serves as 1st Vice-President with the Fire Chiefs Association of B.C.
Through her leadership, fire safety improvements have included changes to legislation, and a program she co-developed on fire safety for building owners and managers. She introduced data analytics to many fire departments across British Columbia and, calling on her experience as a dispatcher, has improved fire response at departments she’s led by adjusting the way fire calls are processed.
Chief Fry is also known for her advocacy work on behalf of firefighters which has included fighting for priority COVID-19 vaccinations, seeking a higher level of medical training, and advocating for “right to know” legislation for workers, such as those exposed to hazardous substances. She is also a major advocate for mental health and prevention of heart disease and cancers in the fire service. A passion for fire prevention led to her improving the safety of encampments through education and enforcement, ultimately ordering their removal over fire safety concerns, and advocating for provincial standards for single-room occupancy hotels.