Last month, the Congressional Fire Services Institute honored "Chief's Clipboard" columnist Ronny J. Coleman with the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award. Introduced 13 years ago, the award recognizes individuals who have improved fire/emergency services and life-safety issues.

I was thrilled to hear of Coleman's award for many reasons. I know how many people in this industry he has influenced, and I can't think of a more deserving recipient.

Coleman began writing for FIRE CHIEF in 1981, while he was the director of fire protection in San Clemente, Calif. Over the next few years, he complained that there wasn't a section "devoted to the task of being chief." That changed in February 1985, when Coleman wrote his first "Chief's Clipboard" column that primarily offered lessons learned from other chiefs. For 26 years, Coleman's columns have guided and inspired not only fire chiefs, but also officers, aspiring officers, business professionals — and editors. The columns are commonsensical, thought-provoking, action-spurring and — without a doubt — timeless.

For example, Coleman titled his first column, "Maximizing the Conference Experience." In it, he wrote "Conference and conventions in this day and age are almost a luxury because of the costs …yet they are among the most important events we can participate in on an annual basis." Those words remain true.

Coleman became chief of the Fullerton (Calif.) Fire Department in 1985. After his appointment, he tackled the subject of mentors. "It is not unlike having a coach sitting on the sidelines who periodically sends in a few plays," he wrote. "The coach can't play the game, but he can provide general guidance and counseling as to how to achieve further success."

Coleman was and is a mentor to me. He taught me the value of networking, the importance of residential fire sprinklers, and the impact the Center for Public Safety Excellence's accreditation process can have on a fire department.

Coleman deeply respects tradition, but that respect isn't mired in the glorification of leather helmets and the good-old days. (In fact, he wrote in a column once that the good-old days weren't so good with limited on-the-job training, unsafe practices like riding on the tailboard, and lack of SCBA). Rather, his respect for tradition is driven by influential people, from the distant past (Ben Franklin, father of the American fire service) to the recent past (Chief Warren Isman, hazmat expert and former chief in Fairfax, Va.). Today, Coleman works to archive the history of the American fire service through the National Fire Heritage Center.

But even with his love of history, Coleman always keeps an eye toward the future. He predicted 30 years ago that computers would foster more intelligent, fact-based decision-making.

After living overseas for 15 years, where I followed international fire brigades, I was pleased to learn that Coleman also understood the importance of the global fire service. He introduced me to both the U.S./U.K. Fire Service Symposium and the Institute of Fire Engineers.

Coleman doesn't brag about the firefighters he inspired to become officers, or the officers who became chiefs. But ask any chief how he or she got to that position, and I'd bet that you'll hear a favorite "Chief 's Clipboard" column or book of Coleman's — quite likely Going for Gold — played some part.

The Mason Lankford award has been bestowed on some of the top fire and emergency leaders in the United States. We at FIRE CHIEF are particularly proud that our longest-serving columnist received national recognition. Personally, I couldn't be more proud of my friend and wise mentor.