In partnership with Pierce Manufacturing Inc., the International Association of Fire Chiefs announced the 2026 IAFC Fire Chief of the Year honorees at Fire-Rescue International in Kansas City
LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS
The problem isn’t a lack of policies or commitment to safety — it’s the everyday decisions that determine whether standards are upheld or ignored
Connectivity has never been better; the challenge now is filtering the noise, establishing priorities and making better decisions under pressure
The presence of senior leadership can either strengthen the command system or unintentionally destabilize it
With the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, it’s a good time to review protocols for PPE regulations when dealing with car hazards and unknowns
FIRE CHIEF NEWS
- Officials identify Alaska firefighter who died while assigned to Minn. wildfire
- Idaho city considers creating independent fire district to address growth
- From soot to safety: The evolution of firefighter decontamination
- Calif. FD adds single-role EMS positions, returns engine company to service
- Calif. lawmakers seek tougher penalties after massive cold storage warehouse fire
- Judge orders Mo. firefighter reinstated after fatal 2021 crash
- Firefighter assigned to Minn. wildfires suffers fatal medical emergency
- Pa. county hazmat team ends service due to finances
- Grants help Calif. FD attain 24/7 paramedic staffing at all firehouses
- Denver firefighters’ union sues state union, IAFF over disaffiliation, $389K dues dispute
FIRE CHIEF DIGITAL EDITIONS
IAFC & FIRE-RESCUE INTERNATIONAL
WATCH & LEARN
A Solano County jury found that Vallejo retaliated against former Vallejo Fire Captain Melisse Leitzke after she complained of gender discrimination
Dr. Sara Jahnke spotlights the importance of translating research into practical tools that fire departments can use
Zam shares four practical strategies to improve communication, build trust and strengthen leadership
Four Grand Blanc Township firefighters had accused township officials of retaliating after they spoke out about staffing and Fire Chief Jamie Jent’s possible dismissal
We already know the dangers associated with freelancing, fatigue, poor command, among other key challenges — so why don’t we change?
From application difficulty to funding competition, many barriers are more perception than reality
Mayor Jacob Frey selected the former Oakland and Hartford fire chief to lead a department facing staffing strain and firefighter trauma
Master mechanics and emergency vehicle technicians recommend the following apparatus maintenance tips to keep trucks on the road in soaring temperatures
Chiefs Brad Brown and Don Lombardi discuss important considerations for agencies using AI — and how it will never replace an incident commander’s “gut feeling”
Dena Ali explains why firefighter wellness is established long before a bad call — through culture, communication and sleep habits