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Dave Waterhouse, ECFO, MBA, Adm.A
Dave Waterhouse is a senior fire service executive with over 25 years of experience helping communities better understand, prevent, and manage risk. As Assistant Chief of the Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal (SIM), along with other responsabilities he leads the Emergency Communications Center and Operational Planning Service Center, driving innovation in business continuity, sustainability, and data-informed decision-making.
Throughout his career, Dave has worked to bridge the gap between operations, strategy, and research—aligning daily practice with long-term community resilience. His international collaborations with the NFPA Research Foundation and his economic research on the return on investment of fire services have influenced both public policy and professional practice in fire safety and emergency management.
A dedicated mentor and educator, Dave is passionate about developing the next generation of fire service leaders—encouraging curiosity, empathy, and systems thinking as core leadership values. He holds an MBA from the Université de Sherbrooke, a bachelor’s degree in management from HEC Montréal, and dual diplomas in Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Management. He is a Certified Executive Chief Fire Officer (ECFO) and a Chartered Administrator (Adm.A).
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Michelle Gervais, MBA, MA.DEM, ECFO, ABCP
Michelle Gervais is an emergency management executive with over two decades of experience advancing resilience and operational readiness across municipal, provincial, and territorial systems. As Deputy Director of Emergency Services for the Government of Nunavut, she leads programs that strengthen organizational coordination, community preparedness, and emergency response capacity.
Michelle has guided large-scale initiatives in community risk assessment, emergency operations, and evacuation planning, helping governments and agencies align strategy with practical implementation. Known for her calm leadership and strategic insight, she’s built a reputation for uniting diverse stakeholders to improve how systems function under pressure.
Her work blends technical expertise with an understanding of human systems, ensuring that emergency management remains both effective and grounded in lived realities. She’s committed to advancing adaptive, evidence-informed approaches that strengthen resilience at every level.
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Kevin Rimmer
Kevin Rimmer is a lifelong entrepreneur and investor who thrives at the intersection of technology, creativity, and impact. Over his career, he has founded, scaled, and supported ventures that turn bold ideas into practical, lasting change.
As founder of B-Side Group, Kevin works with startups and partners across Canada to help early-stage innovations find traction and momentum. He’s known for his ability to spot potential, connect people, and create the conditions for ideas to grow - bridging founders, funders, and communities in the process.
Driven by curiosity and collaboration, Kevin brings an entrepreneurial lens to CESCIL’s work, helping bridge the energy of the startup world with the challenges and opportunities of emergency services innovation.
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Noel Slaney, CRSP
Noel Slaney is a safety professional with over 15 years of leadership experience helping organizations strengthen safety culture and build environments where people and performance thrive together. His work spans utilities, energy, and construction, supporting teams across operations, engineering, and environmental disciplines.
A Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), Noel has led the development and rollout of contractor safety systems, serious injury and fatality prevention frameworks, Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) initiatives, and COR/ISO-aligned governance programs. He currently serves as Chair of the Atlantic Regional Council for Health and Safety Professionals Canada (HSPC) and has contributed to safety leadership initiatives at Nova Scotia Power and BC Hydro.
Noel’s approach is grounded in trust and collaboration. He’s passionate about mentoring emerging leaders, turning safety insights into practical improvements, and helping organizations embed safety into everyday excellence.