An award program specifically designed to recognize the spirit of services, courage and heroism that is a tradition among the world's fire service.

The program is named for one of the first fire chiefs in the United States, Benjamin Franklin. An inventor, statesman and humanitarian, Mr. Franklin was a prime contributor to the wealth of tradition that symbolizes the fire service worldwide.

Presented annually to a deserving fire fighter by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and Motorola, the award honors the fire fighter for his or her expert training, professional service and dedication to the duty displayed in the saving of a human life. But the program is much more. The program serves as a key tool in continuously developing public knowledge and support for the fire service in general.

All active fire fighters–career or volunteer, whether on or off-duty–are eligible for award consideration. They need only to be nominated by their chief for an incident in which they saved a human life.

The chief should submit all pertinent details and the nomination form to the program coordinator. A special IAFC committee reviews nominations received and makes the award selections. The award is presented each year at Fire-Rescue International, the annual IAFC conference. The award recipient and his or her department chief are treated to a V.I.P. weekend at the conference. The recipient's chief is also presented with the Franklin Departmental Award for leadership.

Chiefs desiring additional information on the program should contact the program coordinators at IAFC Headquarters at 703/273-0911 ext. 307.

Click here to download a Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award for Valor nomination form.