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Download the application here

Submit your nomination in the form below

It is our pleasure to release the Call for the Fire Chief of the Year Awards by Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) and Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC).

Each year, the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) and the Fire Underwriters Survey host the Fire Chief of the Year Awards to recognize contributions from Fire Chiefs that go above and beyond the expected role. There are two awards which are being clarified this year as follows; one for a Volunteer Fire Chief (i.e. a  fire chief who is volunteer or part time paid in a volunteer department), and one for a Career Fire Chief (i.e. a full time paid fire chief in a volunteer, composite or career department). During CAFC’s annual conference, Fire-Rescue Canada, the winners are recognized for their outstanding contributions. Nominations will be accepted until August 9, 2024.

IMPORTANT DATES

• Nominations open –  Monday, July 8, 2024
• Nominations close – Friday, August 9, 2024
  

AWARDS CATEGORIES

• Volunteer Fire Chief (i.e. a  fire chief who is volunteer or part time paid in a volunteer department) 
• Career Fire Chief (i.e. a full time paid fire chief in a volunteer, composite or career department)

The candidates chosen for the Fire Chief of the Year Awards will be presented with a plaque of recognition designed and presented by Fire Underwriters Survey at Fire-Rescue Canada.

ELIGIBILITY

• Individuals who are eligible for nomination and selection for Awards of Excellence must be active Chiefs in full time career, composite or volunteer positions with the fire services in Canada.  
• Those individuals who have recently retired (i.e. within 2024) will also be considered.  
• One from each category will be chosen. 

Please note the following for this award in 2024:

• Who can nominate: Nominations are typically made by municipalities and counties, but they may also be made by other fire chiefs or member organizations of the CAFC National Advisory Council.
• Who can be nominated: The recipient of the Fire Chief of the Year Award is made to the Chief Fire Officer of Fire Departments, whether the individual does so on a volunteer or career basis. The award is not open to deputy chiefs or other roles reporting to the Chief Fire Officer.  
• Going beyond role expectations: The role of fire chief requires a baseline level of personal excellence and service to the community. In completing the application for fire chief of the year, please be sure you clearly describe how this individual has gone beyond the expected role and how they contribute to the face of public safety at the local, provincial or national level.
• More than a volunteer award: Appreciating that some fire chiefs fill the role on a voluntary, part-time or paid on call basis, nominations for such fire chiefs are considered in a category separate from full-time paid  career fire chiefs. As such, please ensure the focus is not simply volunteering as all individuals in this category will be volunteers.  
• More than a long service award: These are not long service awards. While length of service may be one consideration in the review of the application, it is not in of itself sufficient to meet the fire chief of the year award criteria. Please be sure you tell us why this individual should be the fire chief of year.
• Shorter application: Please note that this years application is more specific but also shorter to complete
  

INSTRUCTIONS

1. This year’s nominations will be requested through a word template.

2. Please answer each question in the template below taking care not to exceed a response of 3 pages in Calibri 11 point font. 

3. Type your response directly into the space given beside the question.

4. When completed, please save your nomination on your desktop in the following format:

Submitting for a Volunteer Department Chief: V_NomineesLastName_NomineesFirstName; or

Submitting for a Career/Composite Chief: C_NomineesLastName_NomineesFirstName

5. Please submit your application in the form at the bottom of this webpage. Your submission will be automatically received and no further action will be required once you click "Submit".

6. All nominations are due by Friday, August 9, 2024. Winners will be announced at FRC 2024.

THEME AREAS

Impact ● Innovation ● Transformation ● Mentorship/Education ● Resource Management/Fundraising ● Partnership/Coalition Development ● Event or series of events ● Length of tenure and what happened in that tenure ● Recruitment and retention of volunteers ● Diversity and inclusion in department ● Precedent setting ● Emergency Management ● Research and Development ● Health and Wellness ● Other

• All nomination must include a clear, concise, and succinct narrative description of the candidates’ achievements or contributions. Additional background information may be attached.
• An independent panel of judges, drawn from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs and Fire Underwriters Survey will adjudicate the nominations.  

Download the application here

Submit your nomination below: