ORLANDO, Fla. — The IAFC, in partnership with Pierce Manufacturing Inc., announced the recipients of the 2025 Fire Chief of the Year Awards during the Fire-Rescue International Conference in Orlando.
Fire Chief Jeremy Craft of the Lehi (Utah) Fire Department was named the Career Fire Chief of the Year, and Fire Chief Daniel Krushinski of the East Franklin (N.J.) Fire Department was named the Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year. The chiefs were recognized for their exemplary representations of leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, and public service within the fire service.
Craft is a driving force behind Utah’s firefighter cancer prevention movement, championing presumptive cancer coverage, early screening protocols and accountability measures that protect crews statewide. He built bipartisan coalitions, educated lawmakers and united fire service leaders to turn evidence-based prevention into law and everyday practice.
Beyond policy, Craft mentors officers and firefighters, testifies at hearings and shares actionable best practices with departments across the country. His integrity and service-first approach have helped shift culture toward proactive health and wellness, inspiring peers to prioritize prevention in training, operations and benefits.
Krushinski spent over two decades leading by example as East Franklin’s top responding volunteer firefighter, answering roughly 750 calls a year. His key innovations include the creation of a Water Rescue Team and securing specialized boats after Hurricane Ida.
He invests heavily in member development through advanced certifications and training, while his family supports the department in auxiliary and administrative roles. A champion of fire prevention education, summer camps and holiday events, Krushinski also launched a duty crew program that’s become a nationally recognized model for recruiting and retaining volunteers.
FireRescue1 serves as media partner for the Fire Chief of the Year Award.
