By FireRescue1 Staff
 Photos Jamie Thompson Chief Michael Lee (above) and Chief Charles Werner (below) receive Volunteer and Career Fire Chief of the Year awards, respectively, from Wilson Jones, Pierce Manufacturing president, Janet Wilmoth, editorial director of Fire Chief, and Chief Steven Westermann, IAFC president. |
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DENVER — The winners of the 13th annual Fire Chief of the Year Award were announced at FRI in Denver Friday.
Chief Charles L. Werner, Charlottesville Va. Fire Department, and Chief Michael H. Lee, Bethany Fire Department, Reidsville, N.C., were recognized for their dedication and leadership in fire and emergency services. Both chiefs were honored at the general session of the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Fire-Rescue International Conference.
Nominations were solicited from more than 55 emergency service-related associations and organizations. The winners were selected by Fire Chief magazine’s editorial advisory board.
The 2008 Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year, Chief Michael H. Lee, Bethany Fire Department, Reidsville, North Carolina, was nominated by the Bethany Fire Department.
Chief Lee started his professional career as a member of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. He volunteered with the Bethany Fire Department in 1989. He was with the Greensboro Fire Department serving as Senior Training Officer before becoming Fire Chief with Bethany in 2005
The 2008 Career Chief of the Year, Charles L. Werner, first joined the Charlottesville Fire Department in 1978 as a firefighter. Rising quickly through the department, he was appointed fire chief in 2005. A popular instructor, Werner is well-known throughout the fire and emergency services for his expertise in communications technology.
“Each of these chiefs exemplifies the changing role of the fire and emergency services today,” said Janet Wilmoth, editorial director of Fire Chief magazine.
“Both Chief Werner and Chief Lee are excellent examples of the commitment and dedication required for leadership of fire and emergency service agencies.”
The awards were sponsored by Pierce Manufacturing.