Please consider nominations for the 2025 awards listed below.
Applications are now accepted, due March 31, 2025.
OMFPOA Awards
The OMFPOA likes to promote and recognize the people in the community that have been advocates for Fire Prevention in Ontario. Please review the nomination forms and consider submitting one.
Awards will be presented to the winning recipients during the gala dinner at the OMFPOA Training & Education Symposium.
JIM COPELAND AWARD
This award recognizes the significant contributions made by a citizen or group to the prevention of fire and the public education of life safety in the community. The nominee has demonstrated support of fire prevention activities and the promotion of fire and life safety in the community.
DAVE SYLVESTER MEMORIAL BURSARY
This bursary is granted to a student who is furthering their education at a recognized post secondary institution and is enrolled in a full time program relating to fire prevention and life safety.
LIFE MEMBER AWARD
Persons eligible for Life Membership in this Association shall be any member or person, who shall serve this Association with Honour or distinction, may be elected as such upon the unanimous recommendation of the Executive committee and adopted by a majority vote of the members at an Annual Meeting.
FIRE CHIEF OF THE YEAR AWARD
Fire Chief of the Year has made significant contributions to the prevention of fire and the Public Education of life safety in the community. The Fire Chief has demonstrated support of all fire prevention activities undertaken by their department and promote fire prevention and life safety in the community.
AL SULEMAN AWARD (FIRE PREVENTION EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR)
This award may be granted to an individual employed in a fire department, excluding Chiefs and/or Deputy Chiefs.
This award recognizes the significant contribution made by an individual in the field of fire prevention and/or public education within the community.
The nominee must be able to demonstrate innovation in fire prevention activities and the promotion of fire and life safety within the community.
PAST WINNERS
Dave Sylvester Bursary: Patrick Hutchinson Fanshaw College
Jim Copeland Award: John Gignac, Hawkins Gignac Foundation
Nominated by Jeff Balkwill, County of Brant Fire
Fire Chief of the Year: No nominations.
Employee of the Year: No qualifying nominations.
Public Education Fire Prevention Grants
Centre Wellington Fire Rescue Services
Chris Paluch, FPO St. Mary’s Fire Department
Brian Leverton, CFPO
Jim Copeland Award: Derek D’Agostino, First General
Fire Chief of the Year: Michael Cain, Grimsby Fire Department
Dave Sylvester Award: Tatyana Coghlin
Employee if the Year: Derek VanPagee, Public Safety Educator
Jim Copeland: Robert Clark
Fire Chief: Thomas Cartwright
Dave Sylvester: Quintin Matthews
Fire Chief: Ron Jenkins
Fire Prevention: David Montone
Dave Sylvester: Jessica Weinhart
Jim Copeland: Wendy Krebsz
Fire Prevention: N/A
Dave Sylvester: Kathryn Schramm
Jim Copeland: Birnie Current
Fire Chief: Hamilton Fire
Fire Prevention: N/A
Dave Sylvester: Kevin Bourke
Jim Copeland: Peter Bendington
Student Bursary: Colin Lahey
Fire Chief of the Year: Chief Bennett (Gananoque Fire Department)
Life Member: Scott Richardson (Markham Fire & Emergency Services)
Jim Copeland: Dave Flynn
Fire Chief of the Year: Chief Paul Olah (Welland Fire Department)
Life Member: Rich Morris National (Fire Protection Association)
Jim Copeland: Stephanie Gaetz
Fire Chief of the Year: Chief Dave Fields (Windsor Fire and Rescue)
Jim Copeland: Rich Morris
Fire Chief of the Year: Chief Jim Sales (Markham Fire & Emergency Services)
Jim Copeland: Ed Davies
Fire Chief of the Year: Chief Clifford Jeffrey (Quinte West Fire Department)
Fire Chief of the Year: Chief Jim Handcock (Kitchener Fire Department)
Fire Chief of the Year: Chief Cyril Hare (Mississauga Fire Department)
Fire Chief of the Year: Chief Dave Guilbault (Ancaster Fire Department)
Life Member: Roy Phillippe (Office of the Fire Marshal)
Fire Chief of the Year: Chief Alan Speed (North York Fire Department)
Life Member: The National Fire Protection Association
Life Members: Duff Dell (Sarina Fire Department), John Simon (Niagara Falls Fire Department) and John Bateman (Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office Ontario, Fire Marshal)
Life Members: Lou Vaughan (Canadian Steel Institute), Don Bryant (Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office, Instructor Ontario Fire College), and Walter & Helen Anderson (Hand Chemicals)
Life Member: Jay Cosgrave (North Bay Fire Department)
Life Member: Ken Roberts (St. Catharines Fire Department)