Ronald Jon Siarnicki has been executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) since 2001. He is the responsible for oversight of all programs, services, and activities of the Foundation, which includes the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, survivor support programs, fire service training and support programs, and the creation of a national memorial park to honor all of the brave men and women who have made that supreme sacrifice. The Foundation is a nonprofit organization established by the United States Congress in 1992 to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes and to provide resources to assist survivors in the rebuilding of their lives.
While serving in the capacity of executive director of the NFFF, the following programs and services were created, developed, and implemented: Local Assistance State Team (LAST) Project; To Lift a Nation — 9/11 Sculpture Dedicated; Line-of-Duty Death Prevention Program; National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel renovation; National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park; and World Trade Center Fire Service Survivors Support.
Within hours of the tragedy on September 11, 2001, the NFFF organized a coordinated response of resources from across the country to provide critical support to the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). Mounting an unprecedented support effort, the Foundation helped families of the fallen firefighters and coworkers in the critical days and weeks after the tragedy. This program continues to be a vital support mechanism to the FDNY and has delivered more than $5 million in direct support and assistance.
Siarnicki has 33 years of fire/rescue/EMS operational experience. He was chief of Prince George’s County (MD) Fire/EMS Department. He spent nine years as an active volunteer firefighter in both Pennsylvania and Maryland. He was public information officer for the Department of Emergency Services, Queen Anne’s County, Maryland; treasurer for the Maryland State Firemen’s Association; vice president and captain of the United Communities Volunteer Fire Department in Romancoke, Maryland; and lieutenant of the Monessen (PA) Volunteer Fire Department.
He graduated from the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. He has a master of science degree in technology management from the University of Maryland, has a bachelor of science degree in fire science and management from the University of Maryland, and completed the Senior Management Institute for the Prince George’s County Fire Department at Bowie State University. He is a Commission on Chief Fire Officer Designation chief fire officer; has Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications; and is a fire service inspector level I, fire service instructor level III, fire officer IV, firefighter level III, and emergency medical technician.
He has received the following awards: the Alan Brunacini Fire Services Executive Safety Award, IAFC – 2007; Metropolitan Fire Chiefs’ Presidents Award of Distinction – 2007; Congressional Fire Services Institute, Fire Service Organization of the Year – 2003; American Burn Association, Dr. John Moncrief Award – 2003; Maryland State Firemen’s Association Hall of Fame – 1998; and Prince George’s County Silver Medal of Valor and Emergency Services Award.
This Lifetime Achievement Award is named for Tom Brennan, who was the editor of Fire Engineering for eight years and a technical editor. Brennan had more than 35 years of fire service experience, including more than 20 years with the Fire Department of New York and five years as chief of the Waterbury (CT) Fire Department. He was co-editor of The Fire Chief’s Handbook, Fifth Edition (Fire Engineering Books, 1995) and the recipient of the 1998 Fire Engineering Lifetime Achievement Award.
Award Presentation: General Session, Thursday, April 22, 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m., Indiana Convention Center Sagamore Ballroom
