APPLETON, WI—The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), in partnership with Pierce Manufacturing, has announced the winners of the 2019 IAFC Fire Chief of the Year awards. Volunteer Fire Chief John Morrison, of the Vienna (VA) Volunteer Fire Department, and career Fire Chief James Clack, of the Ankeny (IA) Fire Department are this year’s honorees.
Each year since 1996, the Fire Chief of the Year award has recognized one volunteer and one career fire chief. A selection committee appointed by the IAFC reviewed nominations for active chiefs of departments that have shown exemplary contributions in the areas of leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, public service, and contributions to the fire service.
“We enjoy every opportunity to recognize the brave men and women in the fire service, and as the sponsor of the annual IAFC Fire Chief of the Year Awards, we look forward to the time each year when we announce the honorees,” said Jim Johnson, president of Pierce Manufacturing. “Chief Morrison and Chief Clack are exemplary leaders who embrace their work with professionalism, tenacity, compassion, and an ability to inspire others. On behalf of the Pierce Manufacturing team, I’d like to share our appreciation for their work, as well as extend a warm congratulations to Chiefs Morrison and Clack.”
Volunteer Fire Chief Honoree John Morrison
At the young age of 16 years old, Chief John Morrison began volunteering with the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department and quickly became an emergency medical technician (EMT). Over the last 23 years, Morrison has held a solid vision for the department, as well as employing remarkable leadership skills, to build the admirable community-based organization the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department is today. Throughout his years of service, a commitment to volunteerism and his community propelled Morrison up the ranks from EMT, to firefighter in 2002, and on to his current role as chief, which he began nearly a decade ago in 2010. As chief, he oversees the operations and training of more than 60 volunteers. His ability to build relationships and work with both volunteer members and career staff assigned to the Vienna VFD has allowed his department to increase operational and training hours by 44 percent over 10 years. Morrison is employed as a senior lead technologist at Booz Allen Hamilton.
Some of his most notable accomplishments include:
- Serving as a Planning Section Chief of the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue Team (Virginia Task Force 1) responsible for all planning aspects during deployments both nationally and internationally. Morrison developed and manages a Web-based portal that digitized paper processes including qualifications tracking, roster building and absence tracking. The portal has been cited as a best practice in numerous FEMA and international audits. He also represents the Americas Region as a member of the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group's (INSARAG) Information Management Working Group.
- Leading training classes ranging from entry level through Firefighter I and II at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy. As an Instructor III since 2005, Morrison has dedicated countless hours to the success of other volunteers and their education in the fire service.
- Developing a unique and intuitive Volunteer Management System (VMS), providing departments with a sole source for operational, training, and administrative data. VMS tracks hours, duty shifts, class registration, volunteer training and certifications, equipment management, yearly physicals, and more. This system united all 12 Fairfax County volunteer fire departments into a single portal that allows for the shar