NVFC Fire Service Achievement Awards Recipients Announced

The winners of the National Volunteer Fire Council's (NVFC) yearly fire service achievement awards were revealed. These honors honor those who have served their department and community above and beyond expectations.

The winners in 2026 are:

• Roger Beedy, William J. Darley Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Darley
• Frank Leeb, Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health & Wellness Leadership Award, co-sponsored by VFIS and Ward Diesel Filter Systems
• Grace Isakson, Junior Firefighter of the Year, sponsored by California Casualty
• Plano Fire Explorers Post 215, Junior Firefighter Program of the Year, sponsored by California Casualty.

“Fire service volunteers make a significant impact in their communities every day, and we are excited to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of our 2026 award winners,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “This year’s recipients showcase commitment and service from those just starting out to those who have spent a lifetime giving back. They exemplify what makes our nation’s volunteer fire service so outstanding.”

On May 16, during the NVFC spring conference in Alexandria, VA, Beedy, Leeb, and Isakson will receive recognition during an awards ceremony. To allow all of their members to attend, the Plano Fire Explorers Post 215 will be honored at a local ceremony.

William J. Darley Lifetime Achievement Award: Roger Beedy (IN)

Roger Beedy has been a living example of what it means to be a volunteer firefighter for more than fifty years. He started working as a volunteer firefighter and EMT at the age of 15 with the Cedar Canyons Volunteer Fire Department in Leo, IN, where he spent 54 years. His career demonstrates a lifetime dedication to serve his community and the volunteer fire department.

Beedy has held every managerial and operational position in his department. He was frequently the first to volunteer for extra tasks, such as community fundraisers, firehouse and equipment maintenance and administrative jobs, and he hardly ever missed training. He was a reliable, trustworthy leader who consistently showed up and took action.

Even though he frequently had to skip family gatherings to take a call, he always saw helping others as a lifelong duty rather than a disturbance.

“I just know that if I was hurt or needed some help, I’d hope that someone would be coming. That’s why I do it," Beedy remarked. 

Beedy frequently took calls from friends, neighbors and families he personally knew in a small, tight-knit community—sometimes even the very boys and daughters he had witnessed grow up. He carried the moral obligation and emotional burden that come with a lifetime of volunteer fire duty, sharing in the community's biggest losses throughout decades of service.

Beedy has expanded his influence beyond of his local department by actively participating in statewide initiatives that support volunteer firefighter advocacy, training, and resources as a member of the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association (IVFA). The State of Indiana's Meritorious Service Award, the 2024 MacQueen Excellence Award, the American Legion Department of Indiana 2021–2022 Martin A. Werner Firefighter of the Year Award, the IVFA Indiana General Assembly Award, and numerous department awards are just a few of the local and state accolades he has received for his unwavering service. These honors are a reflection of activism, leadership, mentoring and ongoing greatness.

Beedy's work is usually community-focused and very personal. Community service has shaped his family's existence, with his late father and brother, his sister, wife, and son volunteering as well as another sister and mother on the auxiliary. His legacy is measured not only in years but also in lives impacted, trust gained and a safer community as a result of his decision to answer the call.

Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health & Wellness Leadership Award: Frank Leeb (NY)

Over the course of his more than 40 years in the fire service, Frank Leeb has worked as a volunteer and professional fireman and has gained national recognition as a champion for occupational health, wellness, and cancer prevention among firefighters. He is a strong voice in promoting health and safety programs that benefit firefighters nationwide because of his distinct viewpoint.

At the age of 14, Leeb joined the East Farmingdale Volunteer Fire Department in Long Island, NY, as a junior member. In addition to his illustrious 31-year career with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), where he retired as deputy assistant chief in June 2024, he has been a volunteer for more than 40 years. Leeb served as chief of the fire school, chief of training, and chief of safety for the 17,000 personnel of the FDNY throughout his tenure.

At the municipal, state, and federal levels, Leeb's efforts to lower firefighter cancer and enhance occupational health have had a long-lasting effect. In his capacity as chair of the FDNY's Contamination Reduction Workgroup, he contributed to the development of thorough contamination reduction procedures that are now used as models by fire departments across the country. He is renowned for his creative "trail mix" approach to education, which incorporates health message and cancer awareness into conventional tactical training so that firefighters obtain vital safety information in addition to operational instruction.

Leeb is a well-known author and instructor who has authored multiple publications on clean cab principles, pollution reduction, and cancer prevention for firefighters. His capacity to convert intricate research into workable, feasible solutions has aided departments all around the nation in putting into place efficient health and safety procedures. As a former member of three National Fire Protection Association technical committees, he has contributed to the creation of national safety standards.

Leeb is currently the managing director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation affiliate First Responder Center for Excellence (FRCE). In this capacity, he oversees national programs designed to lower the dangers to first responders' physical and mental health. Under his direction, FRCE keeps growing its resources, research, and instruction in the areas of cardiac health, behavioral health, suicide prevention, and cancer prevention for firefighters.

In the volunteer and professional fire services, Leeb is a well-respected leader. He continues to promote the goal of safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of first responders across the country through speeches, publications, and leadership positions.

Junior Firefighter of the Year: Grace Isakson (TX)

Grace Isakson, a third-year member and current captain of Plano, TX, Fire Explorers Post 215, constantly goes above and beyond expectations with her commitment, leadership and service. Her influence is demonstrated not just by quantifiable achievements but also by the way she uplifts others around her and fortifies the program overall.

Isakson accomplished over 330 service hours in 2025 alone through community activities, meetings, station and ambulance ride-outs and training. This dedication is particularly noteworthy because she completed EMT training and continued to work outside the home at the same time. She voluntarily started doing 24-hour ambulance ride-outs after receiving her EMT certification in order to have more patient care experience than was necessary. Her strategy demonstrates a mindset focused on planning and ongoing development.

As captain, Isakson has directly and quantifiably improved her Explorers Post's efficacy and stability. She often steps in to cover leadership voids, takes on duties and makes sure that responsibility is upheld in a fair and professional manner. She mentors younger members, constructively corrects shortcomings, and sets an example for the fire department by her behavior. Her guidance has fostered the growth of self-assured Explorers who value cooperation, accountability and service.

A key component of Isakson's leadership philosophy is community involvement. She views service events as chances to serve the community and represent the fire department. She actively takes part in department-sponsored projects, public outreach programs and life safety education. She frequently assists with event planning and makes sure younger Explorers are informed and involved.

In 2025, Isakson's collaboration and discipline were also demonstrated in competitive activities. She competed against Explorer programs from all across the area as a member of the winning squad in the DFW Fire Games. One of the most well-known community events in the city, the Plano Flags of Honor Truck Pull, was won by the team she led.

Peer appreciation reflects the respect Isakson has gained within the program. She has won four of the program's top awards: Outstanding Achievement for finishing EMT school, Explorer of the Year, Officer of the Year, and Leadership by Example. Additionally, she received the Boy Scouts of America Chisholm Trail Council's Fire Explorer of the Year award.

Isakson intends to attend paramedic school at Collin College and pursue a career as a firefighter after being admitted into the fire academy.

Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award: Plano Fire Explorers Post 215 (TX)

One of the most comprehensive young public-service leadership programs in the country has been created since 1988 by Plano Fire Explorers Post 215. The position has developed into a disciplined, goal-oriented leadership school where young people are exposed to the standards, rules, and culture of the fire service.

A professional fire department is what the program is meant to resemble. Similar to an operational fire department, each Explorer is assigned to a company, such as Truck 1, Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3 or Engine 4. This organizational structure prioritizes crew-based operations, professional communication, and the line of command. The 21 active Explorers in the program dedicate themselves to a demanding schedule of classroom teaching, practical training, physical exercise, and community involvement.

Helping young persons comprehend the realities of public service is at the heart of Post 215's purpose. In addition to understanding fire extinguisher operations and emergency response principles, explorers train utilizing the Essentials of Firefighting program and obtain CPR certification. Through hands-on training sessions, classroom instruction is reinforced, enabling Explorers to put their knowledge to use in safe settings.

Explorers are assigned to one of Plano's thirteen active fire stations following a year of fundamental training. Every Explorer is matched with a firefighter whose mentoring and leadership style best suits their growth. By immersing Explorers in everyday station life, training advancements, and the speed of emergency response, these ride-outs guarantee that technical skills are developed alongside mentorship, accountability and confidence.

Post 215 admission is competitive, and promotions are determined by a methodical procedure that involves written tests and assessments. Officers oversee operational duties like recruiting, social media outreach, physical fitness coordination, and classroom support while honing the administrative and leadership skills necessary for future jobs in the fire service.

One of Post 215's key tenets is community service. Through training, station ride-outs, and community events, Explorers accomplished over 3,200 hours in 2025. In addition to supporting events like the Plano Balloon Festival, Citizens Fire Academy, Vacation Safety School, and CPR training, activities included a smoke detector blitz at a senior living community. Discipline and collaboration are further reinforced through competitive events; Post 215 won the Plano Flags of Honor Truck Pull and took first place at the 2025 DFW Fire Games.

Post 215 continues to produce competent, self-assured young adults committed to serve their community through intense training, purposeful mentoring, meaningful service and peer-driven leadership. Numerous program graduates have gone on to work in emergency medical services, the fire department, and other public safety-related fields.