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Fire Chief of the Year Award

Recognizing Excellence in Fire Service Leadership

Since 1996, the IAFC Fire Chief of the Year Award has recognized outstanding leadership in the fire and emergency service. Each year, the International Association of Fire Chiefs honors one career fire chief and one volunteer fire chief whose leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, public service and contributions have made a lasting impact on the fire service.

The award is presented in partnership with Pierce Manufacturing during Fire-Rescue International (FRI).

Sponsored by: Pierce Manufacturing
Premier Media Sponsor: FireRescue1

Nominations will open during Spring 2027

Sponsored by

Pierce logo

Premier media Sponsor

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2026

Career: Amy Ramon, Cy-Fair Fire Department, Houston (TX)

2026

Volunteer: Gail Schmidt, Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department, Rapid City (SD)

2025

Career: Jeremy Craft, Lehi Fire Department (UT)

2025

Volunteer: Chief Dan Krushinski, East Franklin Fire Department (NJ)

2024

Career: Randy Royal, Colorado Springs Fire Department (CO)

2024

Volunteer: C. Reid Vaughan, Cuba Fire Department (AL)

2023

Career: Brian Fennessy, Orange County Fire Authority (CA)

2023

Volunteer: Thomas Bell, Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department (PA)

2022

Career: Gary Ludwig, Champaign Fire Department (IL)

2022

Volunteer: Marshall Turbeville, Northern Sonoma County Fire District (CA)

2019

Career: James Clack, Ankeny Fire Department (IA)

2019

Volunteer: John Morrison, Vienna Volunteer Fire Department (VA)

2018

Career: Joanne Hayes-White, San Francisco Fire Department (CA)

2018

Volunteer: Herbert Leusch, Glen Echo Fire Department (MD)

2017

Career: Marvin Riggins, Macon-Bibb County Fire Department (GA)

2017

Volunteer: Brian Wade, North Lenoir Fire and Rescue Department (NC)

2016

Career: Harry Beck, Mesa Fire and Medical Department (AZ)

2016

Volunteer: Willard H. “Bill” Halmich, Washington Volunteer Fire Company (MO)

2015

Career: Charles Addington, Wolfforth Fire & EMS (TX)

2015

Volunteer: Dan Eggleston, Albemarle County Department of Fire Rescue (VA)

2014

Career: Chris Barron, Manchaca Fire Rescue (TX)

2014

Volunteer: Alan Martin, Tuscaloosa (AL)

2013

Career: Randy Mirowski, Loveland Fire Rescue Authority (CO)

2013

Volunteer: Freddy L. Johnson Sr., Stoney Point Volunteer Fire Department (NC)

2012

Career: Kelvin Cochran, Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (GA)

2012

Volunteer: Jona Olsson, Latir Volunteer Fire Department (NM)

2011

Career: Debra Amesqua, Madison Fire Department (WI)

2011

Volunteer: Robert Perry, Union Fire District (RI)

2010

Career: Tom Carr, Charleston Fire Department (SC)

2010

Volunteer: Tim Wall, North Farms Volunteer Fire Department (CT)

2009

Career: Randy Bruegman, Fresno Fire Department (CA)

2009

Volunteer: James Seavey, Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department (MD)

2008

Career: Charles Werner, Charlottesville Fire Department (VA)

2008

Volunteer: Michael Lee, Bethany Volunteer Fire Department (NC)

2007

Career: Russell Tarver, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces (Japan)

2007

Volunteer: Michael Varney, Ellington Fire Department (CT)

2006

Career: Alan Brunacini, Phoenix Fire Department (AZ)

2006

Volunteer: Tom Kuntz, Red Lodge Fire Department (MT)

2005

Career: Richard “Smokey” Dyer, Kansas City Fire Department (MO)

2005

Volunteer: Shane Ray, Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department (TN)

2004

Career: Edward Plaugher (Ret.), Arlington County Fire Department (VA)

2004

Volunteer: Rick Haase, Staunton Fire Department and Conoco Philips Oil Refinery (IL)

2003

Career: Mary Beth Michos, Prince William County Fire & Rescue (MD)

2003

Volunteer: Philip Sayer, Galt Fire Protection District (MO)

2002

Career: Jay Reardon, Northbrook Fire Department (IL)

2002

Volunteer: Tim Holman, German Township Fire & EMS (OH)

2001

Career: Bruce Varner, Carrollton Fire Department (TX)

2001

Volunteer: William Jenaway, King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company (PA)

2000

Career: Bill Peterson, Plano Fire Department (TX)

2000

Volunteer: Fred Windisch, Ponderosa Volunteer Fire Department (TX)

1999

Career: Jack Krakeel, Fayetteville Co. Department of Fire/EMS (GA)

1999

Volunteer: Fred Allinson, North Highline Fire District (WA)

1998

Career: Neil Svetanics (Ret.), St. Louis Fire Department (MO)

1998

Volunteer: Phil Stittleburg, La Farge Fire Department (WI)

1997

Career: Cliff Jones, Tempe Fire Department (AZ)

1997

Volunteer: Robert Bettenhausen, Tinley Park Fire Department (IL)

1996

Career: Stephen Paulsell, Boone County Fire Protection District (MO)

1996

Volunteer: John Buckman, German Township Fire Department (IN)

Sponsored by:

Pierce, An Oshkosh Corporation Business

Premier media sponsor:

Fire Chief Logo

Award Type

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