Deputy District Chief (Ret.) Steve Chikerotis of the Chicago (IL) Fire Department is the recipient of the 2024 Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award.
Chikerotis is a 44-year member of the fire service. He served a 36-year career with the Chicago Fire Department, where he oversaw operations of seven battalions and 30 firehouses. He was a chief officer for 19 years and a fire officer for 28 years. Over the span of his career, he has served in Chicago’s busiest fire companies, battalions, and districts.
Chikerotis has been a fire service instructor for more than 35 years, including four years as director of training for the Chicago Fire Department. He’s been a staff instructor at the Chicago Fire Academy, Illinois Fire Service Institute, Harold Washington College, and RICO Fire Rescue. He has delivered classes and keynote addresses at conferences throughout the nation, including 25 years at FDIC.
Chikerotis is also a published author currently working on his third book. He also has worked in the television and movie industry for 33 years as a screenwriter, storyline consultant, technical advisor, and producer. Currently he is a writer and producer on the hit NBC television show “Chicago Fire,” which is in its 12th season.
Battalion Chief Dena Ali, Raleigh (NC) Fire, says: “I first met Chief Chikerotis at my first FDIC in 2015. His class, “Lead from the Front,” stuck out to me because the description was captivating in that he explained it was also about lessons learned. I’m so glad I sat in because he inspired my philosophy of leadership. He truly defined what it means to lead from the front and he did so by modeling all the behaviors he taught that day. He explained the importance of mentorship and relationships, fitness, positive mindset, and a consistent practice of caring about others. I was so inspired when I left his class, and I have attended it every year since. Every year I sit in, I take a new lesson back. To this day, when I think of leadership, I recognize it’s about modeling the behavior I want to inspire in others. A huge part of this comes from hearing Chief Chikerotis speak and witnessing his actions. Chief Chikerotis is one of the most humble servants our profession has and he continues to lead the way for future generations. I am so excited that he is being honored for the life of work he has done for our profession!
Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder, Loveland-Symmes (OH) Fire Department, says: ” ‘Chik’ has done more to fairly promote the mission of firefighters than any other single person in our modern history. From BACKDRAFT to CHICAGO FIRE, he has had the unique opportunity to direct Hollywood so that they portray the realities of this job. Does Hollywood get it perfect? Of course not, but without ‘Chik’ guiding the TV and big screen big shots, we would be seen in a less than acceptable manner. Through his work he has marketed us as real deal public servants, with all the bumps, bruises, and realities of this job. A veteran chief of Chicago, he has never ever forgotten where he came from, benefiting every firefighter in North America. Without question, he deserves this great FDIC/Fire Engineering honor!”
Chief (Ret.) Rick Kolomay, Carol Stream (IL) Fire Department, says: “The operative word for this prestigious award is lifetime. Chief Chikerotis has dedicated his life throughout his lifetime, to every one of us as firefighters and the citizens that we serve. In his book, Firefighters from the Heart, Story 1 of 46 stories of valor explained by the firefighters he interviewed is titled A Lot to Learn. That is what Chief Chikerotis is about–learning; mentoring; sharing; and, most of all, giving. His lifetime of giving to the fire service has saved more lives than we will ever truly know. Chief, job well done.”
Fire Marshal Steve Richardson, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs–Michigan Army National Guard; Council Member, Michigan Fire Fighters Training Council, says: “Steve Chikerotis is deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Award because of his humble leadership that he exhibits in every endeavor he enters. From the day we met, over 30 years ago, he has been a committed fire service colleague, always willing to do whatever is necessary to help–whether he has known you for a day or decades. Through exemplary humility, he continues to mentor everyone he meets in building a better understanding of the fire service through training and career experience.”
Lieutenant/EMT Darryl Johnson, Chicago (IL) Fire Department, says: “Steve is a wonderful inspiration, a friend, a leader, a teacher, and a light of direction when it seems like doors are closed, always a positive attitude and approach, simply put: a beautiful person.”
Lietenant (Ret.) Mike Mason, Chicago (IL) Fire Department, says: “Chief Chikerotis and I go back over 30 years in our personal lives as well as training firefighters whether it was lectures, hands-on the training grounds, as well as speaking at FDIC. He has always been there for firefighters throughout the country. He is one of the most spirited men I have ever known. His devotion to the human race is beyond comprehension, in his compassion, integrity, and his shared knowledge of the American firefighter and firefighters from around the world. He has been an inspiration to me over my entire career as well as to every firefighter who has crossed his path. Steve is still an essential part in our programs in rescue and survival. He has never stopped giving; his heart is huge. I can think of no one more deserving of a Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Fire Commissioner (Ret.) José A. Santiago, City of Chicago, says: “I met Steve Chikerotis in 1979 when we were candidates at the RJ Quinn Fire Academy and our competitive nature drew us together. A year later we were partners on Rescue Squad 2 under the leadership of Captain William Burns Jr. He trained us at an unbelievable pace; it was normal to work at a fire for three hours, then come back to the firehouse and drill into the wee hours to improve our skills and tactics. Our captain instilled in us that it was our duty to teach these skills to the new candidates coming on the job. We traveled back and forth from the field to the Academy as instructors. Steve has continued mentoring, leading, and teaching throughout the CFD and the country. His voice and demeanor have always projected his passion for the job and one can plainly see that he knows what he preaches. Those firefighters who become students of the job can only hope that while they are teaching they can tell the stories of those who came before us and gave their all. Steve Chikerotis has done this on a level never imagined. His teachings, books, presentations, and accomplishments are enough for a Lifetime Achievement Award.” The Fire Engineering Lifetime Achievement Award has been given out during the General Session at FDIC since 1998. In 2009, the award was renamed for Tom Brennan, who was the editor of Fire Engineering for eight years and a technical editor until he passed away in 2006.
