National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s Prestigious Glatfelter Award Given to Retired New Jersey Fire Chief

Daniel Speigel, a retired Wildwood, NJ, Fire Chief is honored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) as this year's Arthur J. Glatfelter Distinguished Service Award recipient.

The award is one of the most prestigious given by the NFFF and is named for Arthur J. Glatfelter, a fire service champion and creator of Volunteer Fireman's Insurance Services (VFIS), the first business of its type to address the insurance needs of volunteer firemen. The Glatfelter Award pays tribute to his legacy and rewards people like Chief Speigel who have significantly advanced the goals of the organization.

Chief Speigel currently represents Cape May County as an Executive Committee member of the New Jersey State Firemen's Association and as the Construction/Fire Official for the City of North Wildwood. Chief Speigel has been involved in the NFFF community since 2011, acting as a volunteer, donor, and ambassador for the organization. He is a devoted supporter of the NFFF and firefighters. Additionally, he is a member of the New Jersey Local Assistance State Team (LAST), which provides support to departments in the event that a firefighter dies while performing their duties.

Chief Speigel, a well-liked figure in New Jersey's fire service community, has used his connections to raise awareness of the NFFF throughout the state, assisting the organization in reaching more citizens, firefighters, and their families. He was crucial in establishing Fire Hero Beach Bash, which has collected over $110,000 in just three years, and in making sure the NFFF has the chance to speak to over 20,000 firefighters each year at the New Jersey State Firemen's Association Convention.

Chief Speigel and his wife, Andrea, have also been volunteering during NFFF Memorial Weekend for a number of years, helping with logistics and supporting Fire Hero Families, many of whom are making their first visit to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial after losing a loved one. These initiatives are only a handful of the numerous ways Chief Speigel has helped the NFFF and his community.

“Chief Daniel Speigel’s leadership, generosity, and steadfast commitment to fire service and the NFFF’s mission embody everything the Arthur J. Glatfelter Distinguished Service Award stands for,” said Troy Markel, NFFF Board Chair. “His contributions, not only to the NFFF but also his community, are unmatched, and his continued dedication to those in the fire service and their families has made a lasting impact. We are honored to recognize him as this year’s award recipient.”

Chief Speigel has multiple credentials, including NJ State Fire Official, NJ State Construction Official, and NJ State Building Sub-code Official HHS, in addition to being a Certified Public Manager (CPM) and a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM). Additionally, he responded to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City as a Rescue Specialist with the New Jersey Task Force-1 (NJ-TF1) Urban Search and Rescue Team.

Chief Speigel will be presented the Glatfelter Award at an upcoming ceremony, with the details of the presentation to be announced.

The NFFF is still accepting nominations for the 2026 Arthur J. Glatfelter Distinguished Service Award. To learn more about this award and the nomination process, which closes January 15, visit the NFFF's website. 

About the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF)

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) was established by the United States Congress in 1992 to lead a national effort in honoring America’s fallen firefighters. Since then, the Foundation has created powerful programs that pay lasting tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while providing meaningful support to their families and colleagues. Through its close partnership with the fire service and its affiliate, the First Responder Center for Excellence (FRCE), the NFFF is also deeply committed to reducing firefighter line-of-duty deaths and injuries. To learn how you can support this important mission, visit www.firehero.org.