The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) named Chief Tom Jenkins, from the fire department of Rogers, Arkansas as their new president and chairman last week.
In his new role, Jenkins will serve as the organization’s spokesman and dignitary. He will also be responsible to testify for them at Congressional hearings and lead its 18-member board of directors. With his inauguration, Jenkins called for continued innovation among the organization’s members.
“Research, data, and technology are tools that must be harnessed by fire chiefs to be successful,” Jenkins said. “We cannot be allergic to change and evidenced-based decisions. Therefore, our association will push forward in finding ways to harness, disseminate, and improve these cutting-edge initiatives.”
Jenkins has served as a fire chief for his city since 2009 and as deputy fire chief for Sand Springs, Oklahoma before that. He also serves on the Industrial Advisory Board for Oklahoma State University’s Fire Protection and Safety Program, and as as an adjunct professor for Oklahoma State University and Northwest Arkansas Community College.
At the same time as Jenkins’ appointment, the association announced its new vice presidents–Gary Curmode and Dan Eggleston–and reaffirmed that former IAFC President John Sinclair would continue on the board of directors through 2018 as immediate past president. Further, the IAFC announced several award winners at its general session at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Fire Chief Marvin Riggins of the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department in Macon, Georgia was named career fire chief of the year, while Brian Wade, fire chief of the North Lenoir Fire and Rescue Department in Kinston, North Carolina was named volunteer fire chief of the year. In addition, five honorees from the Monroe, Ohio Fire Department were named for the IAFC/Motorola Solutions Ben Franklin Award for Valor.