The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) announced the recipients of three 2024 awards, recognizing contributions to fire service leadership, volunteer recruitment, and community safety initiatives.
The awards—the John M. Buckman III Leadership Award, the Retention and Recruitment Award, and the William F. Jenaway Illness & Injury Prevention Award—will be presented at the IAFC Symposium in the Sun in Clearwater, Florida.
Honorees include Fire Chief Brian McQueen (Ret.) of Whitesboro, New York; Botetourt County Department of Fire & EMS, Virginia; and Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, Virginia.
The IAFC selected Chief Brian McQueen (Ret.) as the recipient of the 2024 John M. Buckman III Leadership Award for his extensive efforts in firefighter health advocacy.
Diagnosed with cancer in 2014 from firefighting-related causes, McQueen led initiatives to establish cancer benefits for volunteer firefighters in New York, successfully advocating for state legislation that enacted these benefits in 2019.
Chief McQueen also co-founded the Believe 271 Foundation, which provides financial support to firefighters with cancer and has distributed over $419,125 to date.
Chief Rich Cowger, VCOS Chair, commended McQueen’s commitment to firefighter health: “Chief McQueen epitomizes servant leadership both within the fire service and in many other aspects of society.
Brian works tirelessly to educate firefighters on cancer prevention and raise awareness about benefits for those diagnosed with the disease.”
Sponsored by Provident Insurance, the award covers travel and registration expenses for McQueen’s attendance at the Clearwater symposium.
The Botetourt County Department of Fire & EMS, Virginia, received the Retention and Recruitment Award in recognition of its successful volunteer recruitment strategies and retention initiatives.
Led by Chief Jason Ferguson and Recruitment & Retention Specialist Taylor Lunsford, the department has emphasized personal connection, collaborating with local schools and community organizations to introduce young people to fire and EMS roles.
Annual events such as the Girls’ Fire Camp foster community awareness, while a Volunteer Incentive Program provides monetary rewards to active members.
“Chief Ferguson and Specialist Lunsford have made recruitment and retention a strategic priority, setting an example that all departments can learn from,” stated Chief Cowger.
One Botetourt representative will receive travel and registration sponsorship from VFIS to attend the award presentation.
The Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department (AVFRD) in Virginia received the William F. Jenaway Illness & Injury Prevention Award for its community-focused seatbelt safety program.
Under the leadership of Chief Walsh, AVFRD introduced the Seatbelt Convincer device to simulate a low-speed crash, educating school-aged children on the importance of seatbelt use.
Funded through donations from Lansdowne Woods, the program aims to reach over 81,000 students in Loudoun County schools.
Chief Cowger highlighted the initiative’s impact: “The best way to prevent injury and illness is to prevent emergency incidents from ever occurring. AVFRD’s program goes straight to the source by promoting seatbelt safety.”
The IAFC VCOS awards reflect the association’s commitment to recognizing leaders in fire service health advocacy, volunteer engagement, and public safety.
The 2024 recipients—Chief Brian McQueen, the Botetourt County Department of Fire & EMS, and the Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department—demonstrate effective strategies and leadership, providing valuable examples for fire departments across North America.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) has named the recipients of three awards for 2024, honoring achievements in fire service leadership, volunteer recruitment, and community safety initiatives.
Chief Brian McQueen (Ret.) from New York received the John M. Buckman III Leadership Award for his advocacy in firefighter health and cancer prevention.
The Botetourt County Department of Fire & EMS in Virginia earned the Retention and Recruitment Award for their community-centered approach to volunteer engagement.
Finally, Virginia’s Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department won the William F. Jenaway Illness & Injury Prevention Award for their educational seatbelt safety program.
Each award will be presented at the annual Symposium in the Sun in Clearwater, Florida.
