The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has welcomed its 149th President of the Association at the third general session of the Fire-Rescue International Conference.
Chief Trisha Wolford, of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department (MD) was officially sworn in as IAFC President and Board Chair, succeeding outgoing President Chief Josh Waldo of Bozeman, MT.
Chief Wolford was joined in office by newly sworn executive leaders: Chief Steven Locke (South Burlington, VT) as 1st Vice President, Chief Ernest Malone (Indianapolis, IN) as 2nd Vice President and Chief Jim Silvernail (St. Louis County, MO) as Treasurer.
Chief Waldo will continue to serve on the IAFC Executive Committee as Immediate Past President.
As IAFC President, Chief Wolford will serve as the association’s official spokesperson and representative, preside over meetings of the Association and Board of Directors and lead the organization in advancing fire and emergency services worldwide.
In her acceptance speech, Chief Woldford shared: “As your President, I will make sure this Board is ready to pivot and focus on what is important to YOU as a member and what is impactful to our organization and profession.
“We will spend much of our time building stronger partnerships with our public safety brothers and sisters in red… and blue. Our role is to lead. I will keep pushing for smarter training, better tools, stronger data and policies that make a real difference.”
Chief Wolford was sworn in and introduced by Chiefs Joann Rund (Ret., Baltimore County Fire Department) and Tiffany Green (Ret., Prince George’s County Fire Department).
Chief Green praised Wolford, saying: “It is not every day I get to introduce someone who can literally walk through fire and still show up looking like she could run the world.
“She is not just a leader in the fire service, she is a trailblazer, a mentor and an unstoppable force of courage, compassion and confidence.”
In her closing remarks, Chief Wolford emphasized that relationships—both personal and professional—remain at the heart of the IAFC’s success.
Wolford concluded: “As we look ahead, I see an IAFC that is not just responding to needs in the fire service but championing the growth and maturity of the organization.
“What I see is opportunity—opportunities to listen, learn, advocate and achieve.”
IAFC Presidents serve one-year terms. Chief Wolford will continue to serve as Fire Chief of Anne Arundel County, MD, during her tenure, while also serving as 1st Vice President of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association and as a member of the FirstNet Authority Board.
The IAFC has welcomed its 149th President of the Association, Chief Trisha Wolford, at the third general session of the FRI Conference.
