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Ben Franklin Award for Valor, IAFC's most prestigious award honoring the courage and dedication demonstrated by members of the fire/EMS in saving human life.

Honoring Courage, Service and Heroism

The IAFC Ben Franklin Award for Valor, sponsored by Motorola Solutions, is the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ most prestigious award. Since 1970, the award has honored exceptional courage, professional service and dedication demonstrated by members of the fire and emergency service in saving human life.

Named for Benjamin Franklin—one of America’s earliest fire service leaders and a champion of public service—the award celebrates the tradition of courage and commitment that continues to define the fire and emergency service today.

Sponsored by

Motorola Logo

Presented annually by the IAFC and Motorola Solutions at Fire-Rescue International (FRI), the award recognizes an individual firefighter or team whose actions exemplify extraordinary valor. Beyond recognizing individual acts of heroism, the award helps raise public awareness of the dedication and service demonstrated by firefighters and emergency responders every day.

Sponsored by: Motorola Solutions
Premier Media Sponsor: FireRescue1

Premier media sponsor

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Questions?

For questions about the IAFC Ben Franklin Award for Valor, contact BenFranklinAward@iafc.org.

Who Is Eligible?

Active career and volunteer firefighters are eligible for consideration for an incident in which their actions resulted in saving a human life. The qualifying incident may have occurred while the firefighter was on or off duty.

Nominations must be submitted by the nominee’s Fire Chief or Chief of Department.

For the 2027 award cycle:

    • The qualifying incident must have occurred between April 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026.

    • Nominations may recognize one individual or a team of up to four people.

    • All nominations are reviewed by a select committee of IAFC members.

Nomination Requirements

To submit a nomination, you will need:

    • Nominee name(s) and contact information

    • A description of the incident

    • A copy of the department’s incident report

Optional Supporting Materials

You may also submit:

    • Up to three examples of local awards or recognition related to the incident

    • Up to three additional supporting materials that may assist the review committee, such as media coverage, photographs, or reports from supervisors or fellow firefighters

Each qualified nomination is reviewed by a select committee of IAFC members based on the award criteria and information provided in the nomination.

2025

Firefighters Kyle Steen, Nick Jasnoch and Morgan Helton and Fire Chief Jason Culberson from Rapid City Fire Department (SD)

2024

Engineer, Manny Sharp of the Medford Fire Department (OR)

2023

Battalion Chief David Bell, Fire Apparatus Operator Brendan Horlbeck, and Lieutenant Sean Kavlick, Hilton Head Island Fire Department (SC)

2022

Captain Michael Kaake, Lieutenant Kris Prosser and firefighter paramedic Tyler Abbatiello (OH)

2019

Fire Chief David Hawks Honored For Rescue Mission (CA)

2018

Captain Kyle Olson, apparatus operator Andrew Brian, and firefighters Scott Kohler and Matt Towner (OR)

2017

Lieutenants Scott Clasgens, Chris Marker and Russell Rickard and Fire Medics Josh Spradling and Paul Peters (OH)

2016

USA-1, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Urban Search & Rescue (VA)

2016

USA-2, Los Angeles County Fire and Rescue Department’s Urban Search & Rescue (CA)

2015

Captain William Bailey, Master Firefighter Kevin Wirth and Firefighters Robert Doran and Paul Sigwart, and Chief Steven R. Cover (VA)

2014

Captain Gordon Tamura, Rescue Specialists Aaron Hawthorne and Adam Hussey, Rescue Operator Bryan Doo and pilot Clifton Cates (HI)

2013

Chief Thomas O’Donohue, Golden Valley Fire District, Golden Valley (AZ)

2012

Battalion Chief Timothy Hanlon, Lieutenant John Maes, Firefighter Josh Hamilton, Firefighter Josh Deuto, Firefighter John Brereton, Firefighter Mark Maxwell (CO)

2011

Captain Kendall Thompson (New South Wales Rural Fire Service / Moombi Rural Fire Brigade)

Sponsored by:

Motorola Solutions

Premier media sponsor:

Fire Chief Logo

Award Type

Related Awards

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