About the Award
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 and tireless advocate for the formation of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and the Congressional Fire Services Institute. His primary mission was to make the profession safer for all who serve. Since it was first formed in 1987, the Fire Caucus has remained the most active and influential caucus in Congress.
Dr. Dan Madrzykowski Recognized as Recipient of the 2023 Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award
The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) and Motorola Solutions presented the 2023 Mason Lankford award to Dr. Dan Madrzykowski. Currently serving as the Director of Research for the Fire Safety Research Institute, a UL Research Institute, Dr. Madrzykowski is widely respected throughout the fire and emergency services for his contributions to research in the field of fire protection that spans over 35 years. The results of his work have led to pioneering advancements in firefighting practices, as well as adding to the base of knowledge for improved fire investigations and fire suppression systems that protect the built environment. Dr. Madrzykowski is the first recipient of the award from the field of research in the 25-year history of this award program.
Previous Recipients
- 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, Tony O’Neill, Pro Board
- 2017 – James Dalton (J.D.), 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