California Fire Chiefs Association Chief Ronny J. Coleman Fire Chief of the Year Award

Nominations Open: August 2, 2024 – September 10, 2024
Award Presentation: October 15, 2024

Ronny J. Coleman was a towering figure in the world of fire service, known for his unwavering dedication, leadership, and innovation across a career that spanned over six decades. His extensive service included roles as a Fire Chief, California State Fire Marshal, and Deputy Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Appointed by Governor Pete Wilson, Coleman served honorably as the California State Fire Marshal from 1992 to 2000, during which he oversaw the historic merger of the State Fire Marshal's Office into the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, an agency now known as Cal Fire. This merger was a significant achievement in streamlining fire prevention and response efforts across the state.

A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation
Ronny Coleman devoted more than 60 years of his life to the fire service, during which he became widely recognized for his contributions to firefighter safety, leadership, and education. In 1999, Fire Chief Magazine selected him as one of the 20 Most Influential Fire Service Leaders of the 20th Century, a testament to his far-reaching impact on the profession. Coleman was not just a leader; he was a thought leader—a prolific writer and dynamic speaker who consistently pushed the boundaries of what was possible in fire service.

Throughout his career, Coleman was at the forefront of many advancements in firefighter leadership, safety protocols, fire prevention, code enforcement, training methodologies, and technical innovation. He was known for his ability to anticipate the needs of the fire service and to develop strategies and tools that addressed those needs effectively.

Extensive Service and Influence
Coleman’s influence extended far beyond California. He held numerous leadership roles in national and international fire service organizations, reflecting the breadth of his expertise and the respect he commanded in the field. Among his many positions, he served as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Vice President of the International Committee for Prevention and Control of Fire (CTIF), and President of the California League of Cities, Fire Chiefs Department. His leadership in these roles helped to shape fire service policies and practices on a global scale.

In addition to his permanent roles, Coleman also served as Fire Chief in several California cities, including San Clemente and Fullerton. His expertise was frequently sought after as an interim Fire Chief in various municipalities, such as Fremont, Mountain View, and Santa Rosa, where he provided guidance during transitions and emergencies. His ability to step into these roles and make immediate impacts was a hallmark of his career.

Advocate for Volunteer Firefighters
In 2010, Ronny Coleman was appointed Chairman of the California State Firefighters Association Volunteer Committee, where he took on the challenge of improving leadership, recruitment, and retention in volunteer fire departments. Under his leadership, the association launched a highly successful four-year series of grant-funded workshops that empowered volunteer firefighters and enhanced their contributions to community safety. His work in this area was crucial in addressing the unique challenges faced by volunteer fire departments, which play a vital role in many communities, especially in rural areas.

Contributions to Accreditation and Training
Coleman’s dedication to excellence in fire service was further evident in his nearly two-decade service on the Public Safety Committee for the League of California Cities. He also served as Chairman of the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) from 1984 to 2005. During his tenure, the CFAI developed and implemented rigorous standards for fire department accreditation, ensuring that fire services across the country met high levels of operational efficiency and effectiveness. In recognition of his contributions, the Center for Public Safety Excellence named a perpetual trophy in his honor, devoted to Excellence in Leadership.

Moreover, Coleman was instrumental in the development of training programs that shaped the next generation of fire service leaders. His work was recognized with the prestigious Hudiburg Memorial Award in 2016 by the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA). This award, named after Everett E. Hudiburg, honors individuals who have made significant contributions to firefighter training. Coleman’s role in advancing training standards and materials has left an enduring legacy that continues to benefit firefighters nationwide.

Preserving Fire Service Heritage
Beyond his work in leadership and training, Ronny Coleman was deeply committed to preserving the history and heritage of the fire service. As President of The National Fire Heritage Center, he led efforts to collect, preserve, and share the written, photographic, and film history of the fire profession in the United States. The Center, based in Emmitsburg, Maryland, adjacent to the National Fire Academy, serves as a repository of knowledge and history that informs and inspires future generations of firefighters.

Ongoing Contributions and Recognitions
Even after his formal retirement, Coleman continued to contribute to the fire service community. He served on the reconstituted “America Burning” panel, which provided crucial recommendations to the federal government on improving fire safety and prevention across the country. He was also a member of the U.S. Fire Administration’s Stakeholder Committee and contributed his expertise to the Fireman’s Fund Heritage Program National Committee.

His contributions were widely recognized. In 2011, he received the Mason Lankford Award from the Congressional Fire Caucus Institute, a prestigious honor that recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting impacts on fire service policy and leadership. Former Governor Pete Wilson, in recognizing Coleman’s lifetime achievements, remarked, “...he was not just a participant in making the firefighting profession better, he was THE leader in making it better.... In everything he did, the professionalism and advancement of the fire service at the local and state level was his top priority."

The California Fire Chiefs Association also honored him by naming their annual Fire Chief of the Year Award after him in 2000. Additionally, the International Code Council (ICC) recognized his lifelong involvement in the development of fire codes, awarding him special recognition and appointing him to the ICC Membership Development Committee.

A Prolific Author and Educator
In addition to his leadership roles, Ronny Coleman was a prolific author, contributing to more than 19 textbooks for the fire service community. His writings, which include long-standing columns for Fire Chief Magazine and Sprinkler Age Magazine, have been essential resources for firefighters, fire chiefs, and fire service educators. His most recent work, co-authored with industry experts, is a textbook entitled "Fire Marshal" published by Jones and Bartlett, which serves as a comprehensive guide for those entering the field.

Legacy and Honors
Ronny Coleman’s legacy is one of unparalleled commitment, leadership, and innovation. His influence on the fire service will be felt for generations to come, as future firefighters and leaders continue to benefit from his work in training, accreditation, and fire prevention. His honors and awards are numerous, each reflecting the profound impact he had on the fire service at local, state, national, and international levels.

In 2015, The International Public Safety Leadership & Ethics Institute (IPSLEI) honored Coleman along with Attorney and Educator Gordon Graham, recognizing their significant contributions to public safety leadership and ethics. This recognition was followed by the International Fire Service Training Association's 2016 presentation of the Everett E. Hudiburg Memorial Award, which acknowledged Coleman's outstanding achievements in fire service training.

During the award presentation, Coleman was celebrated for his significant contributions to the training and education of firefighters, which have left a lasting impact on the fire service. His dedication to improving every aspect of the profession has earned him a place among the most respected and influential leaders in fire service history.

Criteria for Award Selection

Each year the California Fire Chiefs Association accepts nominations for the Ronny J Coleman Fire Chief of the Year Award. To be selected for the award the following selection criteria has been established by the Board of Directors.

• Nominees must be current fire chiefs.
• Nominees must be current members of the California Fire Chiefs Association.
  
• Nominees may not currently be on the Board of Directors for the California Fire Chiefs Association (past BOD members would qualify).
  
• Those that submit a nominee must clearly identify themselves so we can contact you as needed (we will not accept nominations from an agency or anonymous source).
  
• Nomination letter signed by the individual nominating the chief, the fire chief’s supervisor, and labor.

Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria encompassing their lifelong contribution to the fire service:

• Impact and contribution at the Local/County Level
  
• Impact and contribution at the State Level
  
• Impact and contribution at the National Level
  
• Impact and contribution at the International Level
  

Please submit in three (3) pages or less a type written, double spaced document outlining the Local/County-State-National and International level contributions and impacts. Letters of support of nominees do not increase chances of selection.

Selection Committee Membership
The selection committee will be made up of the Executive Board of Directors from the California Fire Chiefs Association and the two previous recipients of the award. If no nominee meets the selection criteria the award will not be given in that year.

Award Presentation
The Chief Ronny J. Coleman Fire Chief of the Year Award presentation will coincide with the CFCA installation ceremony/annual conference.

All nominations must be submitted in full via email to Executive Director Chief Jeff Meston (ret.) at jeff.meston@calchiefs.org by September 10, 2024, at 5:00 pm.