APPLETON, Wis. (August 16, 2023) Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, in partnership with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), announced the 2023 IAFC Fire Chief of the Year honorees. Volunteer Fire Chief Thomas Bell of the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department in Pennsylvania, and Career Fire Chief Brian Fennessy of the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) in California, have been named this year’s recipients.
Annually since 1996, the IAFC has honored both a volunteer and a career fire chief. Nominations for these awards are evaluated by a committee selected by the IAFC, focusing on chiefs who have notably contributed in areas of leadership, innovation, professional growth, integrity, and public service. The IAFC Fire Chief of the Year accolades were announced at the Fire-Rescue International (FRI) event in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 16.
“We are honored to celebrate the commitment and dedication of these outstanding fire service leaders,” said Bob Schulz, president of Pierce Manufacturing. “Chief Fennessy and Chief Bell are not just fire service professionals; they are community pillars and mentors for future generations. Pierce Manufacturing is proud to recognize their invaluable contributions.”
Volunteer Fire Chief Honoree – Thomas Bell, Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department (Pennsylvania)
With over 30 years of dedicated fire service, Chief Thomas Bell is a hardworking and result-driven leader. Starting his journey as a junior firefighter and climbing through the ranks, Chief Bell took the helm during a pivotal period in the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department’s history. Under his leadership, the department underwent a transformation, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, skill, and core values.
Chief Bell's leadership style ushered in an era of reform, prioritizing the right skill sets for fire and rescue operations. Recognizing the need for change, he focused on developing and delivering comprehensive firefighter training, facilitating transparent after-action reviews, and cultivating a culture of continuous improvement.
One of his hallmark initiatives was the implementation of the 'Dignity Statement' policy, emphasizing mutual respect and intolerance for harassment and bullying. This policy, coupled with mandatory training, not only reinforced the department's core values but also resonated with the broader community.
Other notable accomplishments include:
- Revitalized the Junior Firefighter Program, leading to exponential growth in program participation with young participants actively learning fire safety skills and inclusion of participants’ families, which fostered a renewed passion for service among older firefighters
- Implemented various community and operational programs to enhance excellence, including:
- Red X Program designed to let firefighters know a building has significant structural or interior hazards
- Introduction of a rotating nightly Command Officer shift with skilled officers
- Developed mandatory post-fire bunker gear laundry services for all responding firefighters
- Mandatory radio command and protocol training, with hands-on skill set demonstrations
- Officer training in sectoring practices, the use of 'CAN’ reports with interior firefighters, and command benchmarking
Career Fire Chief Honoree – Brian Fennessy, Orange County Fire Authority (California)
For nearly half a century, Chief Brian Fennessy has been a leader in fire service innovation. From his early days as a helitack captain and crew superintendent for the U.S. Forest Service to his esteemed roles as fire chief for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and, in the past five years, as chief for the OCFA, his impact has been profound. Fennessy’s contributions span diverse areas such as incident response, firefighter exposure, mental and behavioral health, diversity, equity, inclusion, and grant activity.
He recently secured substantial funding for projects like the Wildland Hand Crew Station and vegetation management initiatives. But one of his visionary projects, the Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System (FIRIS), exemplifies his forward-thinking approach. Conceived in 2017, today’s FIRIS is a public-private partnership involving top-tier experts from various fields. The success of FIRIS is evident from the $30 million state funding it received last year, positioning it as a pivotal tool for wildfire intelligence in California.
Other notable accomplishments include:
- Pioneered the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) in partnership with Southern California Edison
- QRF had 50 fire incidents in its first year and made more than 2,200 drops, using almost 3 million gallons of water and retardant
- Introduced numerous initiatives at the OCFA under his leadership, including:
- Hiring roles emphasizing diversity and behavioral health
- Establishment of the annual Girls Empowerment Camp
- Frontline service enhancements
- Recognized as Fire Chief of the Year by the California Fire Chiefs Association
- Named one of the nation’s "Top 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers" by Government Technology magazine
With countless accomplishments, Chiefs Thomas Bell and Brian Fennessy stand out as exemplary leaders. Their dedication, vision, and unwavering commitment to the fire departments and communities in which they serve make them deserving recipients of the 2023 IAFC Fire Chief of the Year award.
For more information about Pierce Manufacturing and the IAFC Fire Chief of the Year award, visit www.piercemfg.com.
