Sponsored by Provident Insurance and VCOS
The award recognizes a chief officer of a volunteer or combination fire department who stands out on the local or regional level as a true professional who has demonstrated leadership, integrity, and outstanding values within the fire service. The annual award is presented each November at the Symposium in the Sun.
In addition to the actual award, Provident pays the winner's travel and lodging expenses to attend the award ceremonies at the Symposium in the Sun and the VCOS will waive the recipient's registration fee for the conference.
If you know a chief officer deserving of national recognition for leadership skills, please nominate him or her for the John M. Buckman, III Leadership Award. Nominees must be IAFC members.
Award Winners
2025: Jason Caughey, Fire Chief, Laramie County Fire Authority
2024: Chief Brian McQueen, Whitesboro (NY) Fire Department
2023: Chief Tim Smith, Vincennes Township (NJ) Fire Depart
2021: Retired Assistant Chief David Lewis Sr., Odenton (MD) Volunteer Fire Company
2022: Hugh Owens, Public Fire Safety Officer (MD) , Glenn Dale Fire Association, Inc.
2019: Chief John Morrison, Vienna (VA) Volunteer Fire Department
2018: Chief James P. Seavey, Sr., Cabin John Park (MD) Volunteer Fire Department
2017: Chief Judy Thill, Inver Grove Heights (MN) Fire Department
2016: Chief Rich Cowger, Columbus (MT) Fire Rescue
2015: Chief Joseph Florentino, Little Elm (TX) Fire Department
2014: Chief Michael Morgan, Fire Chief of Colorado River (Colo.) Fire Rescue
2013: Chief Charles Addington, II, EFO of Wolfforth (Texas) Fire & EMS
2012: Chief Christopher Barron, Fire Chief of the Manchaca (Texas) Fire/Rescue Department
2011: Chief Christopher Jones, Mount Carmel (Tenn.) Fire Department
2010: Chief John E. Bales, Golden (Colo.) Fire Department
2009: Chief Randall F. Parr, Tomball (Texas) Fire Department