One volunteer and one career chief to be honored at FRI 2025 in Orlando, Florida
McLean, Va. - The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Fire Chief of the Year Awards. Since 1996, this prestigious award has recognized 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.
The full scope of a nominee's fire service activities and accomplishments will be considered during the selection process; special emphasis will be placed on the period from 2022 through 2024. A nominee's command role at a specific 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 one who earns his or her principal livelihood as a fire chief.
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. For a complete list of authorized nominating organizations and other award criteria information, visit the IAFC's Fire Chief of the Year webpage. All nominations are reviewed by a committee of IAFC members.
The 2025 nomination period closes May 9, at 11:59 PM ET. Winner and regret notifications will be issued in July.
The winners will be announced Monday, August 11, and honored onstage at the 2025 Fire-Rescue International conference in Orlando, Florida.
For more information, please contact Olga Butler, Director of Communications at 571-647-6930 or obutler@iafc.org.
Submit your nomination
About the International Association of Fire Chiefs
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 response, 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. Learn more at iafc.org.
About Pierce Manufacturing
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] business, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini pumpers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit piercemfg.com.