Firehouse is proud to announce the newest members to be inducted into the Firehouse Hall of Fame: Ronald Jon Siarnicki and Janet Wilmoth. They will be honored during the opening ceremonies during Firehouse Expo on Sept. 27, 2023 at the Columbus Convention Center.
Siarnicki served as fire chief and most recently lead the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). Wilmoth, who launched Firehouse's Station Design programs, has been covering the fire service for decades.
"It is fitting to add Chief Siarnicki's name to the Firehouse Hall of Fame this year, as he steps down from his post to lead the efforts to honor and remember our fallen brothers and sisters," said Peter Matthews, editor-in-chief of Firehouse. "I am excited that we can honor Janet this year - I followed her work long before I joined Firehouse and it is has been a wonderful experience to witness her dedication to the fire service, as a colleague, over the last decade."
Siarnicki started in the fire service in 1974 with the Monessen, PA, Volunteer Fire Department, Hose House #2, Hilltop Station.
"I grew up in a fire service family. My father was a charter member of the Hilltop Station #2 and my mom helped start the Auxiliary," Siarnicki said. "I spent most of my younger days in the station or social hall, that was where I grew up. Having those experiences helped me gain a clear understanding of what the fire service is all about: Duty, Service, Honor, and Tradition. Those elements formed my life’s passion for this industry, and I have had a great journey along the way."
In 1978, he joined the Prince George's County, MD, Fire/EMS Department where he spent 24 years, rising to the rank of Chief of Department. He retired in 2001, after serving in numerous roles.
In July 2001, Siarnicki was named executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and, three months later, he lead the efforts to help honor the fallen firefighters from the Sept. 11 terror attacks, and helped the FDNY develop a program to take care of the survivors. He held that position until earlier this year.
"I see myself as a modest man who wants to help make our industry better, " Siarnicki said. "It is not for the recognition that I do this, it is to make it better then how I found it. I feel humbled to be listed in the Hall of Fame with many industry giants, people who I looked up to and learned from along my fire service career."
"I would be remiss if I did not mention Firehouse Fire Politics columnist Hal Bruno, who was chairman of the NFFF at the time I was hired, for his vision and support of me to serve in this position. He was the one, along with Art Glatfelter, who trusted me to bring the organization forward. I will be forever grateful."
Siarnicki currently serves with the United Communities VFD in Stevensville, MD.
About his time with the NFFF, Siarnicki said: "It has been an honor to serve as the executive director of the NFFF as the organization does so much for the families, departments of the fallen, along with the fire service community. But no one does it alone and the NFFF has been blessed with a great Board of Directors, staff, group of contractors, list of volunteers and most of all partners and donors to carry our mission forward. I encourage anyone wishing to be involved with this great organization to please reach out to the staff and offer your support.
Wilmoth has lead various efforts in fire service media for 36 years, including serving in the role of Editorial Director for Fire Chief magazine where she worked for 27 years.
Over the last nine years, Janet has served as the Special Projects Director for Firehouse, including the Station Design franchise.
She grew up in a family of suburban Chicago firefighters and studied journalism while living in England.
"Coming from a family of firefighters, my passion has always been for firefighter safety," Wilmoth said. "From the challenging introduction of seatbelts in the fire service, the importance of vehicle maintenance, firefighter physical and mental health and the facilities they work in."
During her time at Fire Chief magazine she served as associate editor, international correspondent and editorial director until the magazine closed in 2013.
In 2014, she joined Firehouse as a special projects editor and developed the annual Firehouse Station Design Conference, the Station Design Awards, and continued the Emergency Vehicle Technician of the Year Awards program. In 2020, she created the Law Enforcement Design Awards for Officer Magazine.
"Being a part of the Hall of Fame is an incredible honor. To be recognized with well-respected fire service leaders who have made a significant difference in the fire service is very humbling," she said."My career grew out of watching my dad and my two brothers work in the fire service and wanting to be a part of it. I’m proud to have passed that legacy on to my two daughters who work in the industry. And my husband has encouraged me all along the way."
"For me, being inducted into the Firehouse Hall of Fame shows that women can make a big contribution," Wilmoth said. "Despite 200 years of tradition, the fire service can and has progressed. The 21st Century is about protecting firefighters and first responders who risk their lives to save others."
"I hope my induction into the Firehouse Hall of Fame shows that anyone within this industry can progress to a level of leadership that truly makes a difference in our fire service community," Siarnicki said. "Starting as a volunteer firefighter in Western Pennsylvania to now leading the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has been a dream come true...I want the next generation to know, that if they follow their dreams in this industry, work hard, then anything is possible."
"This year's Firehouse Expo keynote is about the firefighting family, and both Chief Siarnicki and Janet's commitment to the fire service started from those very same family roots," Matthews said.
Siarnicki and Wilmoth join past Firehouse Hall of Fame inductees:
- Rich Adams
- Steve Austin
- Francis L. Brannigan
- Alan Brunacini
- Hal Bruno
- Robert Burke
- Dr. Harry Carter
- Dennis Compton
- Vincent Dunn
- Harvey Eisner
- Barry Furey
- Paul F. Hashagen
- John Norman
- John J. Salka, Jr.
- Tom Shand
- Dennis Smith
- James Smith
- Charles Werner
- Mike Wilbur
- Robert "Butch" Cobb
