Call for Nominations

Jointly sponsored by the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) and Motorola Solutions since 1998, the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award recognizes exemplary leaders in public safety for their work to improve the delivery of the fire and emergency services in the areas of prevention, mitigation and response.

The award is named in honor of the late-Mason Lankford, a distinguished fire service leader from the state of Texas. Mason committed his time, energy, and passion to the fire and emergency services in his home state and throughout the country. His primary mission was to make the profession safer for all who serve. In 1987, Mason played an integral role in forming the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, working closely with newly-elected Congressman Curt Weldon to engage congressional support for the new caucus. Since then, the Fire Caucus has remained the most active and influential caucus in Congress.

Purpose of the Award

The Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award embraces the importance of advocacy and leadership on behalf of all firefighters and emergency services personnel. These key attributes epitomize Mason’s legacy as a fire service leader.

Award Goals

Each year, individuals from the fire and emergency services community can be nominated for the CFSI/Motorola Solutions Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award.  Nominees must have made an exemplary impact at the national level in one of the following areas:

• Leadership in promoting and supporting fire/emergency services and life safety issues.
• Advancing the readiness of the fire and emergency services at the national level.
• Strengthening fire safety through the development of fire prevention programs.
• Acting as a catalyst to improve the fire and emergency services.

Award Eligibility

• A candidate can be employed by either a state or local government agency or private organization, be self-employed, or serve in a volunteer capacity.
• Current federal government employees are not eligible but retired federal government employees are. Individuals contracting with the federal government, whether on their own or through an employer, are eligible (e.g., instructors, consultants, and service providers).
• The application must demonstrate how the actions or achievements of the candidate have made a positive impact at the national level in advancing the readiness of the fire and emergency services. An application submitted on behalf of a candidate who has made his/her contributions at the local or state level will be considered if it can demonstrate how the achievements and actions have had a profound, positive impact at the national level. (For example, research and/or programs at the local and state levels that have been widely accepted and adopted as “best practices” across the nation).
• A candidate must have a fire service or EMS background or have served a significant role in the fire and life safety community.

Nomination Process

• A candidate for the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award cannot nominate him/herself. An application must be submitted by an individual who possesses a strong understanding of the candidate’s contributions to the fire and emergency services.
• Nomination letters should not exceed more than 1,000 words. Accompanying materials, such as letters of support, can be included in the application; however, the selection committee will place special emphasis on the nomination letter, which should convey how the candidate’s contributions have addressed any of the four goals described above.
• The selection of the recipient will be made by the CFSI Board of Directors.
• Please include in the nomination letter your contact information, phone number, and email address. CFSI will notify the individuals submitting the nominations of the final selection.
• The applications can be sent either electronically or by mail. The mailing address is CFSI, 1101 Wilson Blvd, Sixth Floor, Arlington, VA 22209.  The email address is [email protected].

Deadline for submitting nominations: January 10, 2024

Award Presentation

The recipient of the CFSI/Motorola Solutions Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award will be honored at the 34th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner held on April 25, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
The winner will receive a trip to Washington, D.C. to attend the dinner. This includes airfare and hotel accommodations for two nights at the Washington Hilton.

Previous Recipients

• 2023 – Dr. Dan Madrzykowski, UL Fire Service Safety Research Institute
• 2022 – Greg Cade, National Fire Protection Association
• 2021 – Chief Billy Goldfeder, Loveland-Symmes Fire Department
• 2020 – Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, International Public Safety Data Institute
• 2019 – Russell Sanders, National Fire Protection Association
• 2018 – Steve Austin, International Association of Arson Investigators, and Tony O’Neill, Pro Board
• 2017 – Jim Dalton, National Fire Sprinkler Association
• 2016 – Chief Carl Holmes (Ret), The Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute
• 2015 – Dr. Denis Onieal, Superintendent, National Fire Academy
• 2014  – James M. Shannon, President, National Fire Protection Association
• 2013 – Chief Ron Siarnicki, Executive Director, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
• 2012 – Marcine D. Goodloe, Montgomery County (MD) Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association
• 2011 – Ronny Coleman, National Fire Heritage Center
• 2010 – Kevin O’Connor, International Association of Fire Fighters
• 2009 – Steve Edwards, Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute
• 2008 – Hal Bruno, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
• 2007 – Garry Briese (ret.), International Association of Fire Chiefs
• 2006 – Meri-K Appy, Home Safety Council
• 2005 – Chief Alan Caldwell, International Association of Fire Chiefs
• 2004 – Chief R. David Paulison, Federal Emergency Management Agency
• 2003 – Chief Dennis Compton, International Fire Service Training Association
• 2002 – Chief Raymond M. Downey, FDNY (Posthumously)
• 2001 – Chief John Eversole, Chicago Fire Department
• 2000 – Paul Boecker, Lisle Woodridge (IL) Fire District
• 1999 – E. James Monihan, National Volunteer Fire Council

Fire Service Person of the Year

• 1998 – John Mason Lankford (Posthumously)
• 1997 – Anthony O’Neill, National Fire Protection Association
• 1996 – Steve Austin, Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association
• 1993 – Hal Bruno, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation