jona olsson is the founder and director of cultural bridges to justice, offering cultural diversity programs for non-profit organizations in the U. S., Canada, UK and Australia since 1986. She has been the Fire & EMS Chief of the Latir Volunteer Fire Department in northern New Mexico since 2005.
jona was honored as the 2012 National Volunteer Chief of the Year by the IAFC, Fire Chief Magazine and Pierce Manufacturing at the 2012 IAFC Fire Rescue International Conference. In 2015 she received the first Ambassador Award from Fire Service Women Ontario.
jona is an active member and instructor for the Enchanted Circle Regional Fire Association in northern New Mexico. She is a member of the Volunteer/Combination Officers Section of the IAFC, and currently leads the national project, “United in Service – leadership for building a healthy, resilient and inclusive emergency service,” a multi-year effort to provide leadership training and resources for building more inclusive, healthy and diverse emergency service organizations.
jona lives in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico, US, with her wife of 26 years, Jane, and some rescued, 4-footed friends.
