ATLANTA -- The International Association of Fire Chiefs presented three awards at its Fire-Rescue International conference in Atlanta: the volunteer and career Fire Chiefs of the Year and its highest award, the Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award for Valor.
The Franklin award was presented to Capt. Kendall Thompson of the New South Wales (Australia) Rural Fire Service for his contribution to saving 45 lives from record-breaking flooding in Queensland in January. Thompson was part of a helicopter team that effected the rescues. He was the one on the end of the rescue line, assisting flood victims from the raging waters.
In presenting the award, Jackie Wasni, vice president of sales and service for Motorola, praised Thompson's "unflinching courage" as he repeatedly made his way down the line to rescue people.
"In the hours ahead, these remarkable acts of courage are repeated again and again," she said. Motorola is the corporate sponsor of the award.
The career Fire Chief of the Year award was presented to Chief Debra H. Amesqua, Madison (Wis.) Fire Dept.
In 1996, Amesqua was named chief of the Madison department, having completed a stint as the assistant chief for training in the Tallahassee (Fla.) Fire Department where she began her career in 1983. She has been in the fire service for 28 years and rose through the ranks from rookie to chief.
In a brief interview with Firehouse.com, Amesqua said she was tremendously honored by the award.
"It's truly humbling," Amesqua said. "I have very high regards for the IAFC." She added that she was particularly honored to be recognized by a panel of her peers.
Volunteer Chief of the Year was awarded to Robert Perry, chief of the Union Fire Protection District, South Kingston, R.I. However, in the true spirit volunteerism, Perry had left for home before taking possession of the award to help prepare his community for Hurricane Irene that had taken aim at his district.
Perry had been in the fire service more than 40 years and has been chief of Union Fire Protection District since 1988. His colleagues and members of his department praised his dedication to safety.
The Chiefs of the Year Awards were sponsored by Fire Chief Magazine and Pierce Manufacturing.
