Nominations Sought for 2026 Emergency Vehicle Technician of the Year
Firehouse and Spartan Fire Chassis have partnered again this year to honor those who keep the emergency vehicle fleets on the road with the 2026 Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) of the Year Award.
Nominations for the 2026 EVT of the Year Awards opened today, with the winner being honored at the Fire Truck Training Conference later this year.
"We're excited to continue this partnership with Spartan Fire Chassis and REV, which allows us to highlight the unsung heroes of fire and emergency fleet management," said Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews. "As fire apparatus and emergency vehicles become more complex, the EVTs hone their skills year-after-year, staying up to date with the latest technology and standards to ensure firefighters are ready to roll at any time of the day."
The winner will be honored by Firehouse and Spartan Fire Chassis at the 2026 Fire Truck Training Conference (FTTC) in Lansing, MI, in September.
“Spartan Fire Chassis has been a proud sponsor of the EVT Award since 2017. We look forward to honoring the 2026 winner at our annual Fire Truck Training Conference (FTTC) in Lansing, Michigan this fall”, said Chris McClung, vice president of the Fire Group, Terex Corporation.
The EVT of the Year Award was created in 2003 by Janet Wilmoth, Firehouse's Special Projects Editor, to recognize mechanics and vehicle technicians after witnessing the work of her brother, an Illinois-based EVT, and others who are dedicated to keeping first responder vehicles on the road.
Since then, dozens of EVTS have been recognized for their outstanding efforts to maintain emergency vehicles and create innovative solutions for their fleet's unique needs.
FTTC has been the leading hands-on training event for EVTs since 1999, first launched by Spartan Motors.
Over the years, it has evolved into a full week of intense sessions, along with EVT Certification testing and is sponsored by REV Fire Group and REV Ambulance Group.
You can find the criteria and submit your EVT of the Year nomination here.
The deadline for submissions is April 29.
Read about past EVT of the Year Award Winners:
- Anthony Newman, from Tucson, AZ, Fire, Earns 2025 EVT of the Year Honor
- Lamar Sauder Named 2024 EVT of the Year
- EVT of the Year David Rupert Honored at Conference
- Steelman Named 2022 EVT of the Year
- Michael Jerums Named 2021 EVT of the Year
- 2020 EVT of Year Keeps Multiple Fleets in Top Shape
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.