Kyle Owcharuk-EFRS PIO

November 20, 2019

Internationally recognized athleticism and coaching leadership has landed Georgette Reed, Health and Wellness Coordinator for Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS), a place in the Regina Sports Hall of Fame. Reed, born and raised in Regina, was formally inducted on Saturday October 12, 2019 with friends and family surrounding.

Holding extensive athletic records in swimming, water polo, track and field, and bobsleigh, Reed made countless appearances on the world stage, proudly representing Canada in the:

1992 Summer Olympics

World Athletics Championships

World Bobsleigh Championships

Pan American Games

Commonwealth Games

Other international events

Shot put and discus proved to be Reed’s virtuosity as she claimed a staggering 17 national titles between 1991 and 2003; leading to many of the international invitations.

Reed shifted her focus towards coaching at the turn of the millennium. In 2003, she was appointed Head Coach for the University of Alberta’s Track, Field, and Cross-Country Teams – holding the position for roughly a decade. Throughout that tenure and on the sideline, she coached various Canadian teams at competitions around the globe as a certified elite coach with the International Association of Athletics Federations.

In recent years, Reed has helped athletes develop at the Paralympic and Olympic levels while appearing at schools and corporate functions as an educational and motivational speaker.

Boundless accomplishments aside, Reed settled into her current position as the Health and Wellness Coordinator for EFRS in 2014 after briefly providing support to the City of Edmonton as a Corporate Health Promotion Coordinator.

“I was always interested in Fire Rescue,” said Reed. “I knew at a young age that I wanted to be a firefighter... I even went through the recruitment process with Calgary Fire Department (CFD).”

An administrative error – the spelling of Reed’s last name – caused her to miss out on the notification that she had been successful through all CFD checks. By the time the mistake was corrected, it was too late; she had already moved on with her education, athletic career, and ambitions.

“Everything happens for a reason and what’s meant to be is meant to be.”

When the EFRS Health and Wellness Coordinator position became available, she sent a letter directly to Fire Chief Ken Block himself to present her merit as a strong candidate.

“I felt that all my schooling and athletic past was complementary to Edmonton Fire,” recalled Reed. “Looking in from the outside, I knew what I could bring to the table and what I could do to help and I wasn’t afraid to express that.”

The highlight in her letter to the Fire Chief was a pitch for a Mental Health Program. After joining the EFRS team, she played an integral role in advancing a comprehensive Health and Wellness program alongside Fire Chief Block and the Edmonton Fire Fighters' Union, leading to the creation of a Mental Health Coordinator position and growth to include a Peer Support Team. Other improvements after Reed's hiring include an extensive Peer Fitness Program and the renewal and enhancements to the Annual Firefighter Medical Program, supporting early detections related to occupational diseases and 'mental health check-ins' with the program's Occupational Doctor.

Reed’s contributions to the organization shines light on several initiatives and programs that have helped EFRS maintain its fully Accredited Agency status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. EFRS is 1 of 9 internationally recognized agencies in Canada, and Reed is amongst a team of members that all belong within for a reason.

“Go where your talents are,” said the Hall of Famer with a smile. “What’s meant to be will happen.”