Critical Thinking and Asymmetrical Problem Solving Course
Date/Time
4/29/2025
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern
Event Registration
Event Description
CPD offering hosted by OAEM and the Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute (FESTI) Mississauga

About:
This highly specialized course brings together a common approach to critical thinking and decision making consistent with the Incident Management System – both at the EOC and Site Command levels to meet the needs of multi-service sectors such as emergency management and business continuity managers, airport officials, rail operators, First Responders, etc.     

Course Overview:
Target audience: This course is designed for multi-service sector emergency management and business continuity professionals including operational staff, supervisors, mid-level managers, team leaders, and corporate leaders who are looking to enhance their critical thinking skills and improve their team's performance. It is also suitable for professionals in supervisory roles who wish to transition into leadership positions. This course is interactive and involves a significant amount of breakout group work using applied examples.

Duration: 1 day (10 hours):
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Location:
This course will be delivered on-site at FESTI, OAEM’s new training headquarters located at 2025 Courtney Park Drive East in Mississauga, Ontario.

Course objectives: 
1.    To understand the core principles of effective problem solving and how they apply in a team setting;
2.    To develop critical skills for problem solving both as an individual and in a team environment;
3.    To learn strategies for effectively dissecting problems and developing cost and operationally effective solutions;
4.    To enhance the ability to lead teams through difficult problems and challenges; and
5.    To explore tools and techniques for setting goals, monitoring progress, and evaluating solutions.

Expected outcomes:

By the end of the course, participants will:

1.    Have a deep understanding of how to ensure critical thinking when faced with any and all kinds of problems from operational to strategic;
2.    Be equipped with practical tools and techniques to quickly identify the actual core issues in a problem-based environment;
3.    Gain confidence in their ability to design approaches and solutions to conflicts and problems in their area of responsibility with defined techniques; and
4.    Be able to set clear objectives for their teams and effectively track and assess progress.

Catering:
Includes on-site deluxe catering:  breakfast, lunch and afternoon break

Instructor (2)
Chris McBryan, BlackBay Inc.
To be determined

About Chris McBryan:

Over his distinguished 32-year career with Royal Canadian Mounted Police and CN Police, Inspector Chris McBryan, has worked as an investigator and supervisor in Covert Operations, the Major Crimes Unit, the National Security Unit, and several other postings pertaining to special forces assignments. McBryan has also been the commanding officer for units such as Special Operations, Guns and Gangs, Protective Services (including VIP, Close Protection, and Bomb Squad). In 2006, he was placed in charge of Canada’s Border Technology Program, which is responsible for determining requirements, identifying technologies and implementing programs to cover over 8500 kilometers of undefended border. Prior to retirement, McBryan was placed in command of the R.C.M.P.’s Special Operations group in Ontario.

He has been critically involved in the development of National Science and Technology development programs and has engineered new approaches towards technology development and engineering within the RCMP including programs exceeding $80,000,000 in budget. Chris has played a critical role in blending Canadian government, academic and industrial organizations to develop major security programs for the RCMP. Further, he has conducted numerous operational test and evaluation scenarios and vignettes aimed at advancing the RCMP’s technical and enforcement capabilities. These programs have contributed to international collaborative programs with several international partners. McBryan has a very strong career with the RCMP collecting numerous accolades and commendations for his investigations and new approaches to law enforcement.

Combining his extensive experience and critical involvement in national security and global covert operations his specific expertise in problem solving, tactics and technology Mr. McBryan is now transitioning his talents for asymmetrical problem solving and training to BlackBay Inc. where he will leverage his knowledge and vast network of contacts to increase capabilities in both the private, public and corporate worlds. 

 
Location
Setting: In-Person
Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute (FESTI) Mississauga
2025 Courtney Park Drive East
Mississauga , On L5T1J3
CANADA

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