INSPIRE - Meet Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services Assistant Deputy Chief Allie Sornberger - Celebrating International Women's Day 2025
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, Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services, 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 IWD 2025 INSPIRE First Responder Stories:
INSPIRE - Meet CYFS Firefighter Miranda Hebert - Celebrating International Women's Day 2025
Introducing Allie Sornberger - Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services Assistant Deputy Chief
Q: How long have you been a first responder?
A: I joined Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services as the Assistant Deputy of Communications and Emergency Management in September of 2024. Before that, I worked in Communications Services at the Toronto Police Service for almost 13 years.
Q: Did you grow up wanting to be a first responder?
A: I honestly had no aspirations of working in the emergency services. Both of my parents worked in policing – one as an officer and the other as a communicator. So when I finished school and was figuring out my next steps, they suggested I apply to Communications until I decided what I was going to do.
I stayed in the field because the job offered me so many opportunities to continue to challenge myself. The best thing about it is that every day is different and change is important to me for growth.
Q: Where did you go to school to learn to be a first responder?
A: My educational background is not what I would consider a traditional path into this field. I actually have a Master’s in Modern History and had planned on going into academia.
When I was first hired as a Communications Operator, I took every practical and educational opportunity that was presented to me. I also sought out other courses to expand my knowledge base. It meant taking courses in emergency management, project management and leadership.
In addition, I applied for extracurricular positions that involved teaching and training new hires to round out my skills.
Q: What has been the highlight of your career?
A: The opportunity to work with a great group of people who care about the safety of the callers and the first responders going to each and every scene is an immense privilege.
Q: What do you do to keep physically fit and take care of your mental wellbeing?
A: For me, my physical fitness is directly related to my overall wellbeing including my mental health. A good work-life balance is important and it means I prioritize exercising at least five times per week. This includes traditional weightlifting, going for walks outside, and participating in a variety of classes at my local gym. My mental health is at its best when I’m working out regularly.
Q: What’s your favourite thing to do outside of being a first responder?
A: I like to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy being outside during the warm summer months but I’ll take the cold and snow too.
Enjoy more first responder stories:
INSPIRE - 3rd Annual IWD First Responder Community Event - 2024
INSPIRE - 2nd Annual IWD First Responder Community Event 2023
York Region Community Open House - Celebrating First Responders and IWD 2022
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