The 2026 Fire Chief of the Year awards have recognised Gail Schmidt and Amy Ramon for their outstanding leadership, service, and commitment to firefighter safety. This recognition, presented by Pierce Manufacturing and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), celebrates the contributions of these two US fire service leaders to their departments, communities, and the wider industry, as reported by the International Fire & Safety Journal.
Recognising Leadership in Fire Safety
Volunteer Fire Chief Gail Schmidt of Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department in Rapid City, South Dakota, and Career Fire Chief Amy Ramon of Cy-Fair Fire Department in Houston, Texas, received their honours during Fire Rescue International (FRI) in Kansas City, Missouri. Since 1996, the IAFC has annually recognised one volunteer and one career fire chief for outstanding service, with nominations assessed against criteria such as leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, public service, and contributions to the fire service.
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Gail Schmidt, with over three decades of experience in the volunteer fire service, has served as chief of Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department since 2014. Her leadership has focused on operational readiness, firefighter health and safety, professional development, and regional collaboration across Pennington County and the Black Hills region.
One of Schmidt’s key achievements was addressing a critical lack of reliable water supply within the department’s rural response district. Under her leadership, a multi-year initiative delivered a district-owned water system featuring a 60,000-gallon storage system and a hydrant capable of delivering 600 gallons per minute at the department’s main station. This project improved emergency response capabilities, firefighter safety, and suppression effectiveness while creating new regional training opportunities.
Amy Ramon, with more than 30 years of fire service experience, has been the fire chief of Cy-Fair Fire Department since 2014. During her tenure, the department has transformed from a primarily volunteer organisation into one of the largest combination fire departments in Texas and the US, serving nearly 600,000 residents.
Ramon has maintained a strong focus on the people behind the department’s growth. She championed a comprehensive mental health programme providing personnel with counselling and proactive behavioural health resources, achieving more than 54% utilisation. She has also prioritised comprehensive cancer screening initiatives to support early detection and address the elevated occupational cancer risks faced by firefighters.
Inspiration for UK Fire Safety Professionals
The achievements of Gail Schmidt and Amy Ramon provide valuable insights and inspiration for UK fire safety professionals. Their focus on operational readiness, community engagement, and firefighter health and safety are areas that can be emulated within the UK context.
Emphasise the importance of leadership in fire safety roles.
Consider the integration of mental health and wellbeing programmes for fire service personnel.
Explore opportunities for regional collaboration and resource sharing.
