Compton, who served with the Phoenix and Mesa, Ariz., fire departments and is vice chairman of the NFFF, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-term commitment to improve the fire and rescue services through operational applications, education and leadership. Siarnicki, who served with the Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department until 2001 when he became executive director of the NFFF, was selected to receive the Presidents Award of Distinction for his efforts in his fire service career and his leadership with the NFFF. Both men were present at the awards ceremony held at the Globe Theatre in Universal City Studios in California.
Hal Bruno, chairman of the NFFF, stated, “It is a great honor for the foundation to have Chief Siarnicki and Chief Compton’s leadership recognized by their peers in the Metro Chiefs Association.”
In addition to these two awards, Sir Ken Knight, London’s Fire Commissioner, was recognized as the Metropolitan Fire Chief of the Year. The Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association is made up exclusively of Fire Chiefs from the largest fire departments in the world and gathers annually for educational opportunities, business matters and to recognize outstanding achievements in those three categories.
The parent organizations for the group are the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Fire Protection Association.
The NFFF was created by the United States Congress in 1992 for the purpose of honoring each firefighter who has died in the line of duty in the United States and assisting their survivors with the rebuilding of their lives. In addition, the foundation continues to work with the fire service to prevent firefighter line-of-duty deaths through its “Everyone Goes Home” Program. The foundation is a 501c3, non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Maryland.
More information about the group can be found at http://www.firehero.org.