ORLANDO — Fire Chief Trisha Wolford was officially installed Friday as president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, using her first address to pledge accountability, champion growth and lay out a vision focused on growth, opportunity and listening to members. Wolford made the remarks at the IAFC’s flagship conference, Fire-Rescue International, in Orlando.
Wolford opened by acknowledging the honor and responsibility of becoming IAFC president, crediting her home department in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and her personal and professional support systems. She expressed deep gratitude to mentors, colleagues, family and her outgoing predecessor, Chief Josh Waldo.’
“This is more than just a professional milestone for me. I’m humbled, I’m excited, and I’m in awe of the moment and what it took to get here,” she said.
Wolford emphasized IAFC’s history and strong foundation while outlining her vision for the future — innovation, curiosity, growth, and listening to members’ needs. She challenged members to engage with IAFC leadership and consider serving on boards or committees. Wolford stressed teamwork, accountability and transparency, noting that board service is demanding but essential to supporting the fire service.
After acknowledging her mother in the audience, Wolford recounted the lessons she had instilled over the years: “One of the most important lessons she’s taught myself and my sister is the phrase ‘I will win.’ And she says that because she’s a tough cookie. She’s sweet, but she’s tough. And I’m pretty sure the phrase came from at some point when I was grounded numerous times for spreading my wings too early or too far. But I say that because this lesson still applies, and what she was really teaching me with that phrase is the value of hard work, the value of what hard work can do for reaching your goals. You don’t have to know everything, you don’t have to be everything, but you will have to work hard. So thank you, mom. Thank you for the support of the family and for everybody, and for teaching me hard and tough lessons that are worth the work.”
Acknowledging the role of female fire service leaders who paved the way before her, Wolford committed to raising up others, especially women in the fire service: “I promise to raise up other women around me, just as you have helped raise me up.”
More key quotes from Chief Wolford:
- “There’s nothing better than being able to start with a solid foundation and then see where we go from there. I’m most excited to innovate, to explore. I love being curious, and I’m hoping that all of those things create benefits for all of you as members.”
- “For 365 days, we’re going to find opportunity. We’re going to seek out opportunity at every chance we can — to listen, to learn, to advocate, and hopefully to achieve.”
- “Without the hard times, without the grind, there is no way we would find growth — and we absolutely need growth.”
- “I did [Chief Waldo] for one piece of advice. He said, don’t screw it up. Thank you, sir. I will do my best. I hope to make you proud and not screw it up.”
Wolford closed with a pledge to lead with honesty, humility and accountability, promising to focus on the membership’s needs above all else: “As your new president, I promise I will listen more than I speak. I will be honest. I will be genuine in my answers. I will stay focused on what truly matters to all of you. I will lead, and I will be highly accountable to this organization.”
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