Fire 20/20, the IAFC and Lion Apparel have opened nominations for the the first annual Tony Pini Awards for Diversity & Inclusion in the Fire Service. Named in honor of the late Santa Rosa (Calif.) Fire Chief Tony Pini, the awards acknowledge the efforts of departments that have excelled with diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Pini retired from the Santa Rosa Fire Department in September 2003, after 33 years in the California fire service. Throughout his career, he emphasized the need for greater diversity and inclusion in the fire service. He was a founder and active member of the IAFC’s Human Relations Committee, a member of the IAFC’s Ethics Task Force and a past chair of the California Fire Chiefs’ Cultural Diversity Committee.

The Tony Pini Diversity & Inclusion Award will be presented annually to four departments — two career and two volunteer — that demonstrate leadership and success in diversity and inclusion initiatives. Diversity and inclusion initiatives must have been in place for at least one year and must demonstrate sustainability and show measurable results.

Nomination criteria is in two categories:

• Initiatives or programs within a department that build and foster a diverse and inclusive culture
• Initiatives or programs that build and foster proactive working relationships between a fire department and the multicultural communities it serves

The award-winning departments will be selected from the pool of nominees by a committee comprised of leadership from FIRE 20/20, the IAFC and members of the award-partnering organizations. This year, each of the four recipients will be presented with etched-glass plaques at the Diversity Breakfast at Fire-Rescue International on Aug. 25.