Norm Ferrier has worked with the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) since 2003 as an Emergency Management Consultant in the Continuing Education department. 

In 2003, prior to the outbreak of SARS in Toronto, Norm developed and facilitated the OHA’s firstIncident Management System (IMS) course for health care professionals. Since then, he’s created and taught the Emergency Exercise Design and hospital Command Center Design and Operation courses, which are offered each year, as part of the OHA’s Diploma in Health Care Management. Norm is also developing a university curriculum for a new B.A. program in Emergency Management and Public Safety.

During his career, Norm spent 35 years as a paramedic in Canada's largest EMS system before retiring two years ago as a Senior EMS Planner. In this role, he was responsible for system design, emergency planning and outreach into the larger health care sector. He has also authored a university-level textbook on emergency management which is currently being used in several countries. Norm has a M.Sc in Emergency Planning and Disaster Management from the University of Hertfordshire in the UK.

When asked what has changed most during his time in health care, Norm cites the dramatic shift to a culture of preparedness that exists today in many facilities.  He has also seen the OHA courses transition from purely hospital-oriented to having representation from mental health, long-term care, public health and right across the continuum of care.  Course attendees have come from every Canadian province and territory, the US and as far away as the United Arab Emirates.

When he’s not working in the exciting world of emergency management,  Norm is an avid reader, writer and film buff.  He also enjoys time with his family and loves to travel, especially to beautiful Portugal where he spends the sunny winter months.