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. 

 

York Region Community Open House - Join us in celebrating International Women's Day and the first responders of York Region on Saturday March 5th from 10am to 2pm.

 

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, York Region Paramedic Services, and Neighbur, we are excited to present eight 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:

Meet YRPS Deputy Chief Paramedic Natalie Kedzierski - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022

Meet Paramedic Karen McIntyre with YRPS - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022

Introducing CYFS Firefighter Amber Bowman - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022

Meet CYFS Firefighter Amanda Leigh - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022

Meet YRP Police Officer Mina Rahravan - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022

Meet CYFS Firefighter Kristy Paterson - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022

 

 

Introducing Elizabeth (Liz) Coretti - York Regional Police Auxiliary Constable

 

Video courtesy of neighbur.

 

Q: How long have you been a first responder?

A: I have been a member since 2018.

 

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

A: For as far back as I can remember I always wanted to become a police officer. My uncle was an officer with the Toronto Police Service and I always viewed him as my idol.

 

 

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

A: I went to York University, where I studied Criminology for four years. I took a variety of courses such as: Youth Justice, Indigenous People in the Justice System, Violence Against Women and Crime within the Corporation.

 

Q: What has been the highlight of your career?

A: My entire journey thus far has been a highlight, I have had the opportunity to interact with people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures. Having the trust from the community to protect and serve them is truly a dream come true. Building rapport with the people of York Region is key to fulfilling my duty. Through lending a helping hand when someone’s in need or simply waving at a child and seeing the instant smile on their face, these are some of the moments that remind me of why I serve and give back.

 

 

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

A: I attend the gym on a regular basis and incorporate physical activities into my daily routine such as taking my dog for a walk or going on hikes with my partner. Specifically for my mental health, I spend a lot of time cooking, baking and spending time with my family and friends.

 

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

A: I have a passion to volunteer, I spend many hours of my week giving back to the community in any way that I can. This puts a smile on my face and allows me to interact with many different people in order to broaden my perspectives and gain new insights on many facets of life.

 

 

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