The Congressional Fire Services Institute’s (CFSI) Board of Directors selected Chief Ronny Coleman as the recipient of the 2011 CFSI/Motorola Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award. The presentation will take place at the 23rd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on April 7, 2011 at the Hilton Washington, in Washington, D.C.
Established in 1998 and co-sponsored by CFSI and Motorola Solutions, the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have been proactive at the local, state, or federal government level to improve fire/emergency services and life safety issues. The award exemplifies the work of the late Mason Lankford. Mason’s legacy resonates in the message he would impart calling for a stronger fire service without leaving anyone behind.
Coleman, who now resides in Elk Grove, Calif., has had an enduring and illustrious career in the fire service that has shaped and influenced fire service policies and thinking at the local, state and national levels. Coleman currently is chairman of the International Accreditation Service’s Technical Advisory Committee on the Accreditation of Fire Prevention Bureaus, president of the National Fire Heritage Center and an author of over 19 textbooks for the fire community. A prolific writer, dynamic speaker and passionate leader, Coleman has been at the forefront of many advances in firefighter leadership, safety, fire prevention, code enforcement, training and technical innovation.
A former fire marshal for the state of California, Coleman received a letter of support from former California Governor Pete Wilson who appointed Coleman fire marshal. “He was not just a participant in making the firefighting profession better, he was THE leader in making it better,” said the former governor of California. “In everything he did, the professionalism and advancement of the fire service at the local and state level was his top priority.”
“Ronny Coleman’s remarkable career has had an immeasurable impact on our nation’s fire and emergency services,” said CFSI President Jenaway. “On so many of the major issues involving firefighter safety, Ronny has been at the forefront advocating and challenging others to embrace the cause of firefighter and public safety. The CFSI Board of Directors extends its thanks and appreciation to Chief Coleman for his contributions and looks forward to honoring him at the National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on April 7th.”
Past recipients of the CFSI/Motorola Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award include:
2010 – Kevin O’Connor, International Association of Fire Fighters
2009 – Steve Edwards, Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute
2008 – Hal Bruno, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
2007 – Garry Briese (ret.), International Association of Fire Chiefs
2006 – Meri-K Appy, Home Safety Council
2005 – Chief Alan Caldwell, International Association of Fire Chiefs
2004 – Chief R. David Paulison, FEMA Director
2003 – Chief Dennis Compton, International Fire Service Training Association
2002 – Chief Raymond M. Downey, FDNY (Posthumously)
2001 – Chief John Eversole, Chicago Fire Department
2000 – Paul Boecker, Lisle Woodridge (IL) Fire District
1999 – E. James Monihan, National Volunteer Fire Council
For more information about the dinner and other events scheduled in conjunction with the dinner, visit the CFSI Web site at www.cfsi.org. The annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner benefits the mission of the Congressional Fire Services Institute, a nonprofit policy organization designed to educate members of Congress about fire and life safety issues.
