IAFC Ben Franklin Award for Valor

About the Award

Ben Franklin Valor Award The IAFC Ben Franklin Award for Valor, sponsored by Motorola Solutions, is the IAFC's most prestigious award. Since 1970, the award has recognized the spirit of service, courage and heroism that is a proud tradition among the world's fire and emergency service. The program is named for one of the first fire chiefs in the United States, Benjamin Franklin. An inventor, statesman and humanitarian, Mr. Franklin was a prime contributor to the wealth of tradition that symbolizes the fire and emergency service worldwide.

Criteria

All active firefighters career or volunteer, whether on or off-duty, are eligible for award consideration for an incident in which they saved a human life. The nomination must be submitted by the Fire Chief/Chief of Department.

The incident must have occurred no earlier than April 1, 2024, and no later than December 31, 2025, for the nomination to qualify for the 2026 program cycle. An individual or a team of up to four may be nominated. All nominations are reviewed by a select committee of IAFC members.

Required Information

Nominee(s) full name and contact details
Description of the incident
Copy of the incident report from your department

Optional Information

Information about local awards and recognition that have been made concerning this incident (maximum of 3)
Any other information you feel will be helpful in review of this nomination (ie. Media coverage, photographs, reports by superiors/ fellow firefighters – maximum of 3)

The nomination period is closed. Recipient and regret notifications will be issued by June, followed by a public announcement of the recipient(s). The award recipient(s) and their department chief will receive VIP treatment during FRI, August 12-14, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri. The award presentations will take place during the FRI general session, Friday, August 14, 2026. The recipient's chief is also presented with the Benjamin Franklin Departmental Award for Leadership.

Questions? Contact: BenFranklinAward@iafc.org.

Fire Captain Lawson C. “Gus” Stuart Honored with 2026 IAFC Ben Franklin Award for Valor

Aug 14, 2026, 11:06 AM

Subtitle : Dyess Air Force Base firefighter recognized for risking his life to save a trapped worker

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Summary : Dyess Air Force Base firefighter recognized for risking his life to save a trapped worker.

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Display Date : Aug 14, 2026, 11:30 AM

CHICAGO – Aug. 14, 2026 – The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and Motorola Solutions today named Fire Captain Lawson C. “Gus” Stuart of Dyess Fire and Emergency Services as the 2026 recipient of the IAFC Ben Franklin Award for Valor. The award recognizes Stuart’s courage and decisive actions during a life-threatening trench rescue at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas.

On Feb. 10, 2025, Stuart responded to what dispatchers initially called an emergency medical call for a fall on a runway. Upon arrival, Stuart found a critically injured construction worker trapped at the bottom of an estimated 30-foot trench, crushed beneath a large pipe that had shifted.

With the worker showing signs of respiratory failure and the possibility of the pipe shifting further, Stuart recognized that time was running out. He quickly entered the trench with no shoring support, harness or safety gear – only his station clothes and gloves.

Inside the trench, Stuart directed crews to stabilize the pipe and coordinate the rescue. Relying on more than two decades of fire and paramedic experience, he helped safely bring the worker to the surface and briefed emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to initiate immediate, lifesaving intervention. Thanks to Stuart’s swift thinking and heroic actions, the worker recovered.

“The Ben Franklin Award for Valor recognizes the very best of the fire service. Individuals who, in extraordinary circumstances, put courage, and service to others above themselves,” said Chief Trisha Wolford, president and board chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. “Their actions remind us that valor is not defined by the absence of fear, but by the decision to act when others need us most. It is an honor to recognize this year’s recipients and the exceptional example they set for our profession and the communities we serve.”

“Captain Stuart demonstrated extraordinary courage and an unwavering commitment to saving a life under dangerous conditions,” said Frank Galvin, vice president, Motorola Solutions. “His actions reflect the highest ideals of the fire service, and Motorola Solutions is proud to join the IAFC in honoring his heroism with the Ben Franklin Award for Valor.”

Presented annually by the IAFC and Motorola Solutions at Fire-Rescue International, the IAFC Ben Franklin Award for Valor is the IAFC’s most prestigious award, recognizing the spirit of service, courage and heroism firefighters demonstrate in life-saving situations.

About the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
The IAFC represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide. IAFC members are the world's leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety legislation. Since 1873, the IAFC has provided a forum for its members to exchange ideas, develop professionally and uncover the latest products and services available to first responders.

About Motorola Solutions | Solving for safer
Safety and security are at the heart of everything we do at Motorola Solutions. We build and connect technologies to help protect people, property and places. Our solutions foster the collaboration that’s critical for safer communities, safer schools, safer hospitals, safer businesses, and ultimately, safer nations. Learn more about our commitment to innovating for a safer future for us all at Learn more at motorolasolutions.com.

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