Public safety - It plays a critical part in ensuring residents of any community have the opportunity to live well and reach their personal full potential.  Public safety is about protecting the general public and prioritizing an individual's physical safety.  First Responders - including firefighters, police officers and paramedics - are most often providing the hands-on support that makes any community physically safe. 

The individuals who protect and serve their communities are professionals dedicated to being their best with each situation they face.  In honour of International Women's Day and together with the Ontario Provincial Police, York Regional Police, Central York Fire Services, and York Region Paramedic Services, we are excited to again present four female emergency first responders who represent their professions with honour and distinction.  We invite you to read each of their stories and learn more about how their aspirations, motivations, celebrations and strong ethic of caring for themselves and others have shaped their respective careers.

 

 

More Her First Responder Stories:

INSPIRE - Meet YRP Sergeant Robyn Kassam - Celebrating International Women's Day 2024

INSPIRE - Meet York Region Paramedic Crystal Wong - Celebrating International Women's Day 2024

INSPIRE - Meet CYFS Captain Tamara Roitman - Celebrating International Women's Day 2024

 

Introducing Nicola Morris - Ontario Provincial Police Constable

 

 

Q: How long have you been a first responder?

A: I have been a Provincial Police Constable for 2 years.

 

Q: Did you grow up wanting to be a first responder?

A: I grew up knowing I wanted to have a career helping people and I started out as a physiotherapist and then later went into policing.

 

 

Q: Where did you go to school to learn to be a first responder?

A: To become a police officer I attended the Ontario Police College and the Provincial Police Academy.

 

Q: What has been the highlight of your career?

A: My career has had many highlights and I'd like to share two specific ones.  The first highlight was the opportunity to build rapport with a homeless gentleman living with mental illness. Through my time with him, I was able to work to ensure his safety and help him to be relocated from living on the street into a more safe environment.  A second highlight was the chance to be part of an investigative team involved in the execution of warrants related to a high profile crime.

 

 

Q: What do you do to keep physically fit and take care of your mental wellbeing?

A: To keep physically fit I work out about 4 times a week and this often includes running, indoor cycling or high intensity interval training.  In the summer I have also played touch football. I have also enjoyed the chance to play softball.  For my mental well being, I take time to relax, read, spend time with friends and family and workout.

 

Q: What’s your favourite thing to do outside of being a first responder? 

A: My favourite thing to do outside of being a first responder is spending time with family and friends.

 

 

Enjoy more first responder stories: 

INSPIRE - 2nd Annual IWD First Responder Community Event 2023

York Region Community Open House - Celebrating First Responders and IWD 2022

 

SeeWhatSheCanDo

Check out the SWSCD Athlete Advisor, your online athletic business directory. Find, rate, and review programs, local community offerings, and businesses that will help you do your thing.  

Start a group around a physical activity in your neighbourhood. Explore events. Check out our SWSCD Hub.

Look for stories, businesses and more on our Active Living activity page.  

Tell us about your favourite way to get yourself moving. Share your highlights directly on our Discover blog or by using #seewhatshecando on social media and inspire others to get active.