Named in honor of Dr. Anne W. Phillips for her profound and enduring contributions to fire safety education, the Dr. Anne W. Phillips Award for Leadership in Fire Safety Education recognizes individuals for outstanding achievements at the national level in fire safety education.
Dr. Phillips was a member of the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, a 20-member body appointed by President Richard Nixon in 1972 to study our nation’s fire problem and make recommendations for reducing the fire losses across the country. The culmination of the Commission’s work was the seminal report, America Burning, the most comprehensive study ever undertaken on our nation’s fire problem. It was the impetus for raising greater awareness for a larger federal role in fire prevention and life safety, and led to the establishment of the United States Fire Administration and National Fire Academy. As a member of the Commission, Dr. Phillips authored the Minority Report that emphasized the important role of prevention in reducing fire injuries and deaths.
Throughout her life, Dr. Phillips demonstrated an unwavering dedication to fire prevention and preparedness as the basis for strengthening fire safety education across the country. CFSI and the International Fire Service Training Association sponsor the award to memorialize Dr. Phillips’ legacy and recognize fire safety educators who have followed her example to move the field of fire prevention and safety forward.