Our Team
Dr. Katherine Lamb
Katherine Lamb is the founder and CEO of K Lamb Associates, Effective Command LTD and Effective Command Canada, and a respected authority on Incident Command Training and Assessment.
Since 2012, she has specialized in Incident Command and Crisis Decision Making and has developed and established the training and assessment method, Effective Command™. This development tool (accredited by Skills for Fire Awards) is used to train and assess Command Competence and Decision Making and is widely used throughout the International Fire Service community. This methodology has also been published in several scientific, peer-reviewed articles on the origin and application of Competence Assessment methodologies within the Fire Service environment.
In addition, with an MSc in Radiation Biology from the University of Oxford and a doctorate in Cell Biology from the University of London, Katherine is an able practitioner and an expert in the hazardous materials domain. She is proficient in course development and the facilitation of simulation-based training for both skill acquisition and competence assessment.
Company Director
Brent Thomas
Brent Thomas is the Fire Chief for the Town of Innisfil. Brent leads and manages the fire department's overall operations, which include fire suppression, staff training, emergency management, fire prevention, public education, and strategic service planning.
He has over 39 years of progressive experience in emergency services, beginning as a paramedic before shifting to a career in fire services and progressing through the ranks. Before joining the Town of Innisfil, he most recently served as Fire Chief Bradford at the Orillia Fire Department, and prior to that, held various positions within Orillia and the Stoney Creek, Hamilton, and West Lincoln fire departments. Brent serves on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, including as chair of the Training and Education Committee and vice chair of the Industry Committee, and is part of the OAFC Peer Support team.
Brent is also an advocate for proactive mental health and serves on the Mental Health/DEI Committee for the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. Chief Thomas is part of the Effective Command delivery team. In his spare time, the Chief enjoys spending time with family and enjoying the outdoors.
Effective Command Instructor
Shaun Hunt
Shaun Hunt started in the Fire Service in 1998 with the Mississippi Mills Fire Department and completed 25 years of service with them. He was hired by Toronto Fire in 2001 and began his career with Ottawa Fire Services in 2003, where he now holds the rank of Lieutenant.
Shaun has spent his career in Ottawa Fire as a member of a Technical Rescue station, including Rope Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Vehicle Rescue and USAR. Shaun is a Lead Fire Dynamics Instructor with the "From Knowledge to Practice" program, where he first met Dr. Katherine Lamb. He competed in international Vehicle Rescue competitions for several years and was the IC of the Ottawa Fire Team, which placed 1st in 2012 and 2013 at the North American Vehicle Rescue Challenge.
Shaun enjoys time outdoors and spending quality time with his 3 children.
Effective Command Instructor
Scott Collins
Scott Collins is a seasoned Canadian fire officer with 25 years of frontline experience and a decade in leadership roles. Specializing in technical rescue and hazardous materials response, Scott brings deep operational insight to his work in incident command training.
Since 2017, he has developed and delivered immersive command scenarios using XVR Simulation, Fire Studio, and live exercises. In 2024, Scott joined Effective Command™ Canada, where he helped design the Level 1 Officer Course and Canadian-based simulations, and produced instructional content for the Effective Command Assessment Portal.
Scott continues to train officers across Ontario and Alberta, advancing decision-making and command competence throughout the fire service.
Effective Command Instructor
Pierre-Yves Authier (“PY”)
Pierre-Yves Authier brings over two decades of emergency service experience, with a career spanning firefighting, paramedicine, and special operations. Currently serving as Acting Lieutenant with Ottawa Fire Services’ Heavy Rescue Company, PY also supports operations as an Acting Incident Safety Officer.
He has led and instructed in multiple disciplines, including Fire Dynamics, SCBA Survival, and Medical First Response, and has contributed to both municipal and industrial training programs. With certifications in NFPA Firefighter, Officer, Instructor, and Safety Officer standards, plus advanced education in emergency care and disaster management, PY delivers high-impact command training rooted in operational excellence and cognitive performance.
Effective Command Instructor
Debra Rogers
Debra Rogers is an Acting Captain and Fire Investigator with the Campbell River Fire Department. Her career in emergency services began in 2009 as a 9-1-1 Fire Dispatcher, and she has since focused on leadership development, training, and mentorship within the fire service.
She is the founding President of the Island Ignite Mentorship Society and serves as Project Manager for Fire Service Women BC, where she leads the organization’s WAGE-funded capacity-building initiative focused on strengthening governance, sustainability, and leadership development across the province.
Debra is committed to building competent, confident leaders and fostering inclusive, resilient fire service communities.
Dare 2 Command Program Lead