Get to know F&S: Denise Rose
"It was the best decision of my life," says Denise Rose, manager of fire prevention services, about joining the University of Toronto after 21 years at the London Fire Department.
Denise Rose began her career in an administrative role at the London Fire Department but transitioned to fire prevention after observing the other inspectors at work. “They made a difference and an impact,” she recalls. “I wanted to be a part of that.”
In this new role, Rose inspected all building types and made sure they followed the Ontario Fire Code—a set of province-wide safety regulations.
In 2022, she was promoted to the role of acting chief of fire prevention, and later that same year, brought her expertise to the University of Toronto in the role of manager, fire prevention.
On the St. George campus, Rose leads the fire prevention services team, supporting them with the day-to-day operations of 140 buildings including inspections, fire alarm response, construction projects, fire safety education and ensuring the campus complies with provincial regulations. She also supervises the sprinkler fitter team, who test and maintain the university sprinkler systems, fire pumps, backflows and standpipe systems.
Rose and the fire prevention services team run more than 100 fire drills each year to ensure campus preparedness, while also providing recommendations for improving fire safety and meeting code requirements. She routinely consults various divisions across campus, including property management, capital projects and environmental health and safety.
Rose and her team work hard to get students and staff on track with campus safety guidelines.
“Fire is real,” she warns. “Don’t get complacent.”
But above all, Rose enjoys that her work is making an impact. “I take pride in knowing that I’m making the campus safer,” she says.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Rose enjoys travelling, and has visited over 47 countries. When not planning her next trip, she frequents the theater and the ballet.