This award, the most prestigious honor the IAFC’s Great Lakes Division can bestow upon its chief fire executives, was conceived to recognize truly outstanding fire chiefs whose actions and leadership serve as an example for all other chief fire executives throughout the Great Lakes states.

Two awards will be presented; 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 fire chiefs (organization head) of fire rescue agencies. Previous Great Lakes Division
  Fire Chief of the Year winners are not eligible for additional nomination.
  

Nomination Period • January 1st to March 1st Annually

Congratulations to Chief Tim Smith of the Vincennes Township Fire Department, IN, on being named the 2025 Great Lakes Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Chief of the Year! The award was presented to Chief Smith virtually in conjuction with the 2025 FRI conference held in Orlando, FL.