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2026 National Fire Chief of the Year Awards
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 of Fire Chief at the local, provincial or national level.
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.
Please note the following for this award in 2026:
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 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 locally, provincially or nationally.
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 the Year.
Shorter application:
Please note that this year’s application is more specific but also shorter to complete.
INSTRUCTIONS
Please answer each question in the template below.
Type your response directly into the space given beside the question.
You will receive confirmation of your submission once you submit.
All nominations are due no later than June 30, 2026. Winners will be announced at FRC 2026.
*
1.
Nominator Information
(Required.)
First Name
Last Name
Email Address
Job/Position Title
Company
City
Province or Territory
Work Phone Number
*
2.
I consent that the CAFC may send a note congratulating the nominee regarding the nomination, irrespective of the results. Choose an item.
(Required.)
I consent
I do not consent
*
3.
Nominee Information
(Required.)
First Name
Last Name
Email Address
Department
City
Province or Territory
Telephone Number
*
4.
Is this Nominee a CAFC Member?
(Required.)
Yes
No
*
5.
Please choose the Award Category for the nomination
(Required.)
Full-Time Career Fire Chief (Any type of department)
Volunteer Fire Chief (not paid, paid honorarium, paid part-time)
*
6.
Length of Tenure/Years in Service?
(Required.)
*
7.
Description of Community Served
(Required.)
*
8.
Please provide contact information for 3 references (1 must be from council and 1 must be from staff)
(Required.)
Reference 1
Reference 2
Reference 3
9.
Are the referees aware of this submission?
Yes
No
10.
At time of submission, please advise yes or no if there are any open investigations, complaints, finding of probable misconduct or other items that could be relevant if the nominee is selected as Fire Chief of the Year.
Yes
No
11.
At which levels (local, provincial or national) would you describe the nominee’s contributions to public safety?
(Choose all that apply)
Local
Provincial
National
*
12.
Which of the following thematic areas best describes the nominee’s contributions? Choose only three from the list below. Type in the name of the theme, plus up to 3 sentences explaining each one. If you select more than 3, only the first 3 options selected will be used. For each of the above, please provide a brief description (3 sentences maximum for each)
Themes:
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
(Required.)
Theme 1:
Theme 2:
Theme 3:
13.
Why is the nominated individual Canada’s Fire Chief of the Year? Describe how this individual has gone above and beyond the call of duty to contribute to the field of public safety locally, provincially, or nationally. (Five sentences max. in lay terms).
