FRISCO, Texas — FireRescue1 has earned a regional award in the 2026 ASBPE Azbee Awards for its coverage of government issues impacting the fire service.
FireRescue1 received a regional bronze award in the Best All Content — Government Coverage category for its series, “Government Decisions That Shape the Fire Service.” The coverage examined how federal actions and policy decisions influence firefighter safety, funding and operational readiness, with a focus on helping fire service leaders understand real-world implications for their agencies. Coverage included the following content:
- Commentary: The National Firefighter Registry: Is it waste, fraud or abuse? I’m listening by Chief Marc Bashoor, FireRescue1 senior advisor
- Interview: ‘Don’t let USFA go back in the shadows’: Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell’s message to fire service leaders by FireRescue1 Senior Editor Rachel Engel
- Timeline: Tracking federal program changes impacting the fire service by FireRescue1 staff.
The Azbee Awards, presented by the American Society of Business Publication Editors, are among the most competitive programs recognizing excellence in business-to-business journalism.
Three of Lexipol Media Group’s industry news sites — FireRescue1, Police1 and EMS1 — were named finalists in multiple categories. EMS1 earned a regional gold award in Best Online — Podcast (Industry) for “Rainn Wilson on ‘Code 3’ and the brutal beauty of EMS life,” and Police1 earned a regional gold award in Best Online — Single Topic Coverage (Industry) for “Women in Law Enforcement.” FireRescue1 was also named a finalist in Best Online — Breaking News Coverage for its reporting on the cancellation of all in-person National Fire Academy training in 2025.
