Award criteria

Two awards will be presented in 2008, one for a career fire chief and one for a volunteer fire chief.

• 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.
• In each category, the status of the fire department as a whole — paid, volunteer or combination — is not considered.
• Individuals who are eligible for nomination and selection as Fire Chief of the Year are limited to active chiefs of departments. Previous Fire Chief of the Year winners are not eligible.
• Selection criteria will emphasize leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, service to the public and contributions to the fire service as a whole.
• All of a nominee’s fire service activities and accomplishments will be considered but, because this is the Fire Chief of the Year award, special emphasis will be placed on the period from mid-2004 through 2007. 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.