Announcing the 2023 Fire Chiefs of the Year recipients

by AmericasEventsFeatured News

Pierce and IAFC recognise outstanding Fire Chiefs

In collaboration with Pierce Manufacturing, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) unveiled the 2023 IAFC Fire Chief of the Year honourees.

The awards ceremony took place at Fire-Rescue International in Kansas City, Missouri, on 16 August.

Volunteer and Career Fire Chiefs celebrated since 1996

Since its inception in 1996, the IAFC annually honours both a volunteer and a career fire chief.

A specially chosen committee by the IAFC evaluates nominations.

The criteria for the accolades encompass significant contributions in leadership, innovation, professional growth, integrity, and public service.

This year, Volunteer Fire Chief Thomas Bell of the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department in Pennsylvania and Career Fire Chief Brian Fennessy of the Orange County Fire Authority in California received the awards.

On this special occasion, Bob Schulz, president of Pierce Manufacturing, stated: “We are honoured to celebrate the commitment and dedication of these outstanding fire service leaders.

“Chief Fennessy and Chief Bell are more than just fire service professionals: they are community pillars and mentors for future generations.

“Pierce Manufacturing is proud to acknowledge their irreplaceable contributions.”

Spotlight on Volunteer Fire Chief – Thomas Bell

Having dedicated over 30 years to fire service, Chief Thomas Bell’s leadership is characterised by hard work and result-driven strategies.

Chief Bell’s tenure marked a significant time in the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department’s evolution.

Under his direction, the department underwent a transformative phase, prioritising teamwork, skill, and foundational values.

He introduced the ‘Dignity Statement’ policy, which highlights mutual respect and zero tolerance for harassment and bullying.

Such a policy, reinforced by mandatory training, resonated deeply within the community.

Among his other achievements are the rejuvenation of the Junior Firefighter Program which saw a surge in participation, igniting a renewed passion for service among veteran firefighters

Operational enhancements, including: The Red X Program to identify hazardous buildings; A nightly rotating Command Officer shift; Post-fire laundry services for bunker gear; and compulsory radio command and protocol training.

Highlighting Career Fire Chief – Brian Fennessy

Chief Brian Fennessy’s nearly fifty-year career stands testament to his innovative leadership in the fire service realm.

His journey began as a helitack captain for the U.S. Forest Service, leading him to prestigious roles, including that of the fire chief for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and most recently the OCFA.

Chief Fennessy’s vast contributions span incident response, firefighter health, diversity, and grant activity.

His recent securing of significant funding for the Wildland Hand Crew Station and vegetation management initiatives underscores his forward-looking vision.

Notably, the Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System (FIRIS), initiated in 2017, stands out among his projects.

Thanks to the success of FIRIS, it gained $30 million state funding last year, marking it a crucial tool for wildfire intelligence in California.

A few more of his achievements include: Launching the Quick Reaction Force in partnership with Southern California Edison; Initiating various initiatives at OCFA, emphasising diversity and health; Receiving accolades like Fire Chief of the Year by the California Fire Chiefs Association; and being named as one of the nation’s “Top 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers”.

Both Chiefs Thomas Bell and Brian Fennessy’s extraordinary dedication and vision make them fitting recipients of the 2023 IAFC Fire Chief of the Year award.

For additional details about Pierce Manufacturing and the IAFC Fire Chief of the Year award, kindly visit their official site.

IFSJ Comment

Recognising the accomplishments of individuals who make significant strides in fire safety provides an opportunity for reflection and inspiration.

The annual Fire Chief of the Year award is more than just an accolade – it’s a testament to the evolving nature of the fire safety profession.

By acknowledging the exceptional efforts of individuals like Chiefs Thomas Bell and Brian Fennessy, we offer a glimpse into the future of fire safety, shaped by innovation, dedication, and unwavering commitment.

About Pierce Manufacturing

Pierce Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation, is a renowned name in the fire apparatus industry.

With a legacy of innovation and reliability, Pierce is committed to delivering top-tier fire and rescue apparatus, underpinned by unrivalled customer support and service.

Their collaboration with institutions like the IAFC exemplifies their commitment to supporting and uplifting the fire safety community globally.

Columbia Southern University collaborates with the IAFC for new development program

by AmericasFeatured NewsTraining

In a recent announcement, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and Columbia Southern University (CSU) have initiated a transformative partnership. This collaboration aligns with the key goal to “educate” as outlined in the IAFC Board’s Strategic Initiative Plan, which was adopted earlier this year.

A step forward in officer development programs

Through this alliance, CSU has been named the “Officer Development Program (ODP) Educational Partner of the IAFC”.

The two organisations have shown their dedication to offering fire service professionals, both new and experienced, a comprehensive virtual learning platform.

This aims to make education more attainable for all members of the IAFC.

Furthermore, a 15% discount on CSU academic courses has been made available for IAFC members and their immediate families.

Introducing the ODP – Leadership Development Certification Series

Central to this partnership is the introduction of the ODP – Leadership Development Certification Series (LDCS).

This innovative program is tailored to foster forward-thinking leaders capable of addressing the demands of the contemporary fire service. The series merges the expertise of industry leaders from the IAFC with CSU’s esteemed educational pedigree.

This fusion brings together the best of academic knowledge and practical experience.

Course delivery is flexible, available online and in-person at IAFC Fire-Rescue International events and through IAFC Division and State regional programs.

Moreover, after passing an online examination, participants can opt for a 100% online route or a mix of online and onsite courses.

Notably, upon completion, graduates can earn undergraduate college credit hours for the first time.

Building on its predecessor, the ODP Leadership Development Symposium Series (LDCS) emphasises new competency-based standards.

This reinforces the IAFC’s unwavering dedication to uplift training and education within the fire service profession.

With this structured professional growth path, students can enhance their leadership capabilities, decision-making skills, and strategic expertise.

Additionally, they can earn continuing education units, which act as a testament to their professional development pursuits.

A future bright with potential for fire service education

The synergy between IAFC and CSU is poised to reshape fire service education’s future.

The newly introduced Leadership Development Certification and Symposium Series stands as a beacon of excellence.

Its aim is to empower the next wave of fire service leaders, ensuring safer and more resilient communities around the globe.

By coming together, both institutions hope to light the path for progress, envisioning a brighter future for the fire service domain.

IFSJ Comment

The fusion of two prominent entities like IAFC and CSU not only underscores the increasing emphasis on professional development in fire service but also showcases how strategic alliances can enhance accessibility and standards of education.

This collaboration is set to benefit communities at large by cultivating a generation of fire service leaders armed with cutting-edge knowledge and skills.

IAFC seeks nominations for Fire Chief of the Year

by Featured NewsPeople

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is now accepting nominations for the IAFC Fire Chief of the Year Award through until 9 June.

The award recognises one volunteer and one career fire chief for their leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, public service and contributions to the fire service. The IAFC presents the Fire Chief of the Year award in proud partnership with Pierce Manufacturing. The program’s media partner is FireRescue1 by Lexipol.

Nomination Process

Nominations will be accepted through the online nomination form from any division, section or member of the IAFC. In addition, nominations will be accepted from members of any state association of fire chiefs and other designated fire service organizations.

A complete list of authorised nominating organisations and other award criteria information can be found at the IAFC’s Fire Chief of the Year webpage. All nominations are reviewed by a committee of IAFC members.

The 2023 nomination period closes June 9 at 11:59 PM ET. Winner and regret notifications will be issued in July. The winners will be announced Monday, August 14, 2023 and honored on Wednesday, August, 16, 2023 at Fire-Rescue International in Kansas City, Missouri.

All of a nominee’s fire service activities and accomplishments will be considered with a special emphasis to be placed on the period from 2020 through 2022. A nominee’s command role at a major emergency incident, while relevant, will not be enough to place that individual into contention for the award.

For the purposes of this program, a volunteer fire chief is defined as one who earns his or her principal livelihood by some means other than serving as a fire chief, even if the position of chief carries some compensation. A career fire chief is defined as one who earns his or her principal livelihood as a fire chief.

IAFC selects participants for the 2023 Fire Service Executive Development Institute

by Featured NewsTraining

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has announced the names of the individuals who have been accepted into the 2023 Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI), funded for the eleventh year by a grant from the Motorola Solutions Foundation.

The Fire Service Executive Development Institute is a year-long leadership-development program developed by the IAFC to provide new and aspiring chiefs with the tools they need to have successful and productive tenures. The members of the cohort will meet three times during the year.

They also will be attending the Fire-Rescue International conference in Kansas City, Missouri, as part of the program. The group will communicate, share information between sessions, and continue their learning process using an on-line community on the IAFC website.

Their on-site sessions are scheduled at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia, with the first meeting scheduled for the week of March 11 – 17, 2023.

The FSEDI program is a premier training program designed to prepare individuals to be successful chiefs and develop the next generation of national/international fire service leaders. Those accepted into the 2023 program are:

  • Acting Asst. Chief Monty Armstrong, Dist. of North Vancouver F&RS (British Columbia)
  • Chief Earl Borden, St. Bernard Parish FD (Louisiana)
  • Interim Chief Todd Carson, Olympia FD (Washington)
  • Deputy Chief Kristin Eckmann, South Metro Fire & Rescue (Colorado)
  • Assistant Chief David Griffin, Charleston FD (South Carolina)
  • Assistant Chief Amy Hanifan , McMinnville FD (Oregon)
  • Deputy Chief Matthew Henss, Indianapolis FD (Indiana)
  • Battalion Chief Adam Hopkins, Hagerstown FD (Maryland)
  • Chief Michael Hussey, Jackson Co. FD #3 (Oregon)
  • Chief Robert Jennison, Livonia FR (Michigan)
  • Assistant Chief Carol Key, Greensboro FD (North Carolina)
  • Deputy Chief Zachary Lardy, Bernalillo Co. FR (New Mexico)
  • Chief Rich Llewellyn, Lawrence-Douglas Co. FR (Kansas)
  • Deputy Chief Jermaine McFarlane, Miramar FR (Florida)
  • Deputy Chief Doug McGlynn, Palm Beach FR (Florida)
  • Deputy Chief T.J. McGovern, Orange Co. Fire Authority (California)
  • Deputy Chief Jeremy Metz, West Metro FR (Colorado)
  • Assistant Chief Felicity Morgan, Wayne Twp. FR (Indiana)
  • Assistant Chief Holly Mulholland, Rochester FD (Minnesota)
  • Assistant Chief Christopher Nash, Horry Co, FR (South Carolina)
  • District Chief Cedric Patterson, U.S. Navy RM-A FES (Military)
  • Deputy Chief Phillips, St. Louis FD (Missouri)
  • Assistant Chief Travis Preau, Loudoun Co. FR (Virginia)
  • Deputy Chief Tiffanye Wesley, Arlington Co. FD (Virginia)

IAFC honours leaders with President’s Award for promoting cancer awareness

by Featured NewsPeople

The International Association of Fire Chief (IAFC)’s honored IAFF General President Edward Kelly, Canadian Trustee Alex Forrest, and Halifax, NS Local 268 President Brendan Meagher with President’s Awards at its Fire-Rescue International (FRI) Conference and Expo earlier this month.

The awards are given to individuals who have made profound contributions benefiting the firefighting community.

Chief Ken Stuebing, outgoing IAFC President said: “General President Kelly, Trustee Forrest, and Halifax Local 268 President Meagher are working tirelessly to spread awareness and to protect fire service personnel from occupation-related cancers. It is my honour to recognize their valiant efforts to save lives and to build a safer future for fire fighters.”

Stuebing commended Kelly for the partnership he developed with the American Cancer Society, as well as the recent adoption of a convention resolution providing $500,000 annually to expand occupational cancer research.

Kelly commented: “We need to stop cancer before it starts, and until that day, the IAFF will work tirelessly toward extinguishing cancer from the fire service. I am humbled by the IAFC’s recognition for what this IAFF does, and honored to receive the President’s Award from Chief Stuebing, who has been a true partner and friend.”

IAFF Canadian Trustee and Manitoba Professional Fire Fighters Association (MPFFA) President Alex Forrest has also been a long-time champion, fighting against the threat of occupational cancer.

Thanks to his Forrest’s advocacy, Manitoba became the first province in Canada to enact cancer presumption laws for fire fighters in 2002. When first passed, the presumptions included four cancers: brain and kidney cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and leukemia. Forrest has pushed the province to expand that list to include 19 cancers in the years since.

Forest commented: “Our fight against occupational cancer is not done. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an arm of the World Health Organization (WHO), just classified the firefighting profession as a Group 1 carcinogen. The IARC is acknowledging the extreme risk fire fighters have of developing cancer. We can now take this ruling and successfully lobby for the passage of cancer presumption laws in areas they could not before.”

Halifax Local 268 President Meagher, who also received a 2022 IAFF Leadership Award, has been a tireless advocate for occupational cancer presumption laws in his home province of Nova Scotia.

Thanks to Meagher’s continued advocacy, the province recently added 13 types of cancer to Firefighters Compensation Regulations, including esophageal, lung, testicular, ureter, breast, multiple myeloma, prostate, skin, ovarian, cervical, penile, thyroid, and pancreatic. This supplements the existing coverage for bladder, brain, colorectal and kidney cancer, leukemia, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Meagher said: “Fire fighters in Nova Scotia spent a long time with very little protection in case of cancer. Now, protections are in place in case the of the cancers most common in fire fighters.

“I am grateful for outgoing IAFC President Stuebing’s recognition. But I did not do this alone, I share this recognition with all of the Nova Scotia members who dedicated their time to fight for cancer protections.”

International Association of Fire Chiefs names new President

by Featured NewsPeople

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has announced its slate of officers for 2022-23 during is final General Session at Fire Rescue International (FRI) 2022, including the naming of its latest president.

US Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell delivered the oath of office to incoming IAFC President Chief Donna Black, Duck (NC) Fire Department NC; 1st Vice President Chief John Butler, Fairfax County (VA) Fire and Rescue; 2nd Vice President Chief Josh Waldo, Bozeman (MT) Fire Department, and Treasurer Chief Steven Locke, South Burlington (VT) Fire Department.

Speaking to the FRI attendees, Chief Black said: “As your IAFC President, I am going to focus my attention on communicating with you, representing you and working with you to ensure that we remain the leading agency of fire and emergency leaders.”

Addressing the newly installed officers, Dr. Moore-Merrell said: “You are challenged to lead the association to a new and higher level of skill and ability. Your leadership, foresight, and loyalty of purpose will determine the success and progress of this organization.”

Chief Black will serve as Chair of the IAFC Board of Directors as the organization enters its 150th year of leadership, education and service to the international fire and EMS community.