Jim Tidwell Earns Excellence in Fire and Life Safety Award

Chief Tidwell is a gentleman who many consider a mentor and a friend. He is a recognized leader in the fire service as well as an outspoken supporter of the International Code Council. He gives freely of his time and experience.

The award honors individuals who have dedicated themselves to saving lives and property through their work on code development, fire-prevention practices and leadership techniques. The award is sponsored by the International Code Council and the Fire & Life Safety Section of the IAFC and is presented annually during Fire-Rescue International.

In a 30-year career with the Fort Worth, Texas Fire Department, his duties included everything from firefighting to a stint as interim chief of department. Probably best known for efforts in the fire prevention arena, this gentleman served in many capacities on local, state and national efforts to improve public- and firefighter-safety. 

"Back in the day" he served eight years on the Uniform Fire Code Committee, three as chairman, representing the Southwestern Fire Chiefs' Association. He served on the drafting committee to draft the first International Fire Code and was elected to the board of directors of the International Code Council in 2002.

After leaving the fire department, he served in several leadership positions at the International Code Council in their Government Relations Department. After six years with the Code Council, he decided to continue to support public safety through his own privately held consulting corporation.