In an effort to recognize educators who take the lead role in making their communities safer, NFPA presents the 2023 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year Award. Deadline to submit a nomination March 28.
Eligibility
The Fire & Life Safety Educator of the Year award is available to educators in the US & Canada who:
- Work for a local/municipal fire department or fire marshal’s office.
- Use NFPA educational programs and materials in a consistent and creative way for their community/audience.
- Demonstrate excellence and innovation in reaching out to the community with NFPA materials.
The Educator of the Year receives:
- $1,000 honorarium which recipients can accept or forward to the charity of their choice.
- Sparky FLS Educator of the year statue
- Paid registration to attend the 2023 NFPA Conference & Expo
- The local fire department or the fire marshal’s office receives a $1,000 donation to support public education activities.
To nominate someone for the 2023 NFPA Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year Award, download this form, and send along with supporting materials to Education@nfpa.org. Put "FLS Educator of the Year" in the subject line. Deadline is March 28. Nominations will not be accepted after this date.
2022 recipient
Congratulations to E. Brené Duggins, fire prevention coordinator/training captain at Holly Grove Fire Department in Lexington, North Carolina, as the winner of the 2022 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year Award. During her 20 years as a volunteer in the fire service, Duggins has shared her passion for technology and education not only in the state of North Carolina, but across the U.S. and Canada, teaching the public as well as fire service personnel how to enhance their own programs through the integration of technology.
Furthering her commitment, Duggins has started “Ms. D’s Virtual PD”, a virtual professional development training program that combines live training sessions and on-demand training opportunities for public school and fire service personnel. She is well-regarded among her fire and life safety education peers for her dedication to not only serving her community, but helping others do the same. In addition, she is the chair of the NC Eastern Region Fire and Life Safety Educator Association and the second vice chair of the North Carolina Fire and Life Safety Educator Association State Council.
Past recipients
- 2021 - Lauri Volkert, Windsor, CT
- 2020 - Maria Bostian, Kannapolis, NC
- 2019 - Barry Brickey, Kingsport, TN
- 2018 - Denise Hynes, Toronto, Ontario
- 2017 - Chief Dolly Hulin, Thomasville, NC
- 2016 - Sherrie Leeka, Westminster, CO
- 2015 - Lt. Annmarie Pickett, Worcester, MA
- 2014 - Samantha Hoffmann, Barrie, ON
- 2013 - Tracy Koslowski, Tuscon, AZ
- 2012 - Marsha Giesler, Downers Grove, IL
- 2011 - Maria Pelchar, Holyoke, MA
- 2010 - Beverly Thompson, Tucker, GA
- 2009 - Dayna Hilton, Clarksville, AR
- 2008 - Dawn Cull, Harrisonburg, VA
- 2007 - Vanita Krouch and Jeff Malkowski, Farmers Branch, TX
- 2006 - Tina Dotson, Asheville, NC
- 2005 - Tracy Sparks, Shelby, NC
- 2004 - Amy Hein, Glenwood, IL
- 2003 - Rae McMullen, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- 2002 - Michele Clayton, San Pedro, CA
- 2001 - Connie Rowden, Roseville, CA
- 2000 - Michael Jordan, Troutdale, OR