Chief Trisha Wolford named new IAFC President in historic move

Josh Waldo (left) and Trisha Wolford (right) pictured during the IAFC leadership transition. Image: IAFC

IAFC names Chief Trisha Wolford as 149th president

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has announced that Chief Trisha Wolford has been appointed as its 149th president.

According to the IAFC, she becomes only the third woman to hold the position in the association’s 152-year history.

Her appointment follows Chief Josh Waldo, who served as president over the past year.

The IAFC said: “We proudly welcomed the 149th President of our association—and only the third female (all within the last 10 years) in our 152-year history. Congratulations to Chief Trisha Wolford!

“Thank you, Chief Waldo, for your outstanding service and leadership over the past year. Congratulations to our incoming President, Chief Trisha Wolford—we’re excited about the many great things to come!”

The association noted that Wolford follows in the path of Chief Donna Black and Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr.

Reflections on leadership transition

Chief Waldo, who became president at the 2024 Fire-Rescue International Conference, set a tone of collaboration during his leadership.

At that time, he said: “I promise to do my best every day to represent the needs of our association on whatever issues face us.”

He added: “We must continue to build and strengthen our existing relationships and look for opportunities to forge new ones.”

Chief Wolford spoke about the handover on the Better Every Shift podcast in September 2024.

She said: “Yeah definitely looking forward to it, supporting Josh.

“If it was not for Josh I would not be sitting here.

“I would not have the opportunity to grow my career because he just took a huge leap to bring me in.

“Full circle right, we’re all the way back around. I’m like here I am Josh, I’m your Deputy again working for you.”

Challenges of a one-year presidency

Wolford acknowledged the challenges of a one-year presidency, which limits how much can be achieved.

On the podcast she said: “Josh has some great initiatives.

“It’s hard to get anything done in a four-year term.

“But one year, there’s over 12,000 members in the IAFC.

“We definitely feel that members should be first and they should be heard.

“You like to talk to people, you like people, and we like taking care of people.

“It’s in the details.”

Key priorities identified by Wolford

Wolford outlined several priority areas that will guide her leadership year.

She said: “Taking care of people, codes and standards, legislative needs, lithium-ion batteries, cancer, suicide, mental health.

“We acknowledge we can only get so much done.

“The IAFC is in a great spot, it’s got great leadership.

“[We’re] just trying to build on what John Butler did.

“Steve comes behind me so we’ll try and set him up really well.

“The end game is how do we do more for the newest firefighter coming into our world to really make them love a 25-year career, be proud of who they are, take care of their families and be healthy.”

Balancing optimism and concern

Wolford spoke candidly about the pressures of leading the IAFC.

She said: “I’m excited to see where Josh can get and where I can pick up.

“There’s excitement and fear.

“Of course you fear losing one of your members, but my fear is being disconnected.

“I don’t want to get so far away from what we say the floor, the bay floor, the engine bay floor, and forget why we support and do what we do.

“Fire Chiefs are always worried about how thin they can spread themselves.

“If there was one class I would want to take it’s like how do I create more personal bandwidth.”

About Chief Trisha Wolford

Wolford is the Fire Chief of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department in Maryland, one of the largest combination fire departments in the United States.

According to the IAFC, she is the 12th Chief in the department’s history, leading over 1,000 career firefighters, 500 operational volunteers, 950 administrative volunteers, 34 communications operators and 58 civilian support staff.

She began her career in 2006 as a firefighter in Anne Arundel County before moving into roles in law enforcement, fire investigation and tactical medic support.

Her leadership posts have included positions in Montana’s Bozeman Fire Department and Washington’s Spokane Fire Department.

She returned to Anne Arundel in 2019 to serve as Chief.

Wolford holds an MBA, a Master’s in Management and Organisational Leadership, and a Bachelor’s degree from Shepherd University.

She completed the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy and graduated from the IAFC’s Fire Service Executive Development Institute.

She also holds CFO and CFM designations from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

In addition, she currently serves as the IAFC’s 1st Vice President and Secretary of the IAFC Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association Executive Board.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

Wolford’s appointment highlights the ongoing leadership transition within one of the most influential fire service organisations in the United States.

Her stated priorities, including legislative needs, standards, mental health, and lithium-ion battery risks, reflect issues that are also under discussion among global fire services.

The IAFC presidency rotates annually, meaning Wolford’s approach will shape discussion and policy direction for the next year, while also setting the stage for her successor.

Her career background in both operational and leadership roles may be of particular interest to international fire professionals considering the pathways to high-level leadership within complex organisations.

Trisha Wolford appointed as IAFC president: Summary

Chief Trisha Wolford has been appointed president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

She is the 149th president of the IAFC.

She is the third woman to hold the post in 152 years.

Her appointment follows outgoing president Chief Josh Waldo.

Waldo became president in 2024.

Wolford spoke about the transition on the Better Every Shift podcast.

She said Waldo helped shape her career.

She said IAFC members should be heard and prioritised.

She identified mental health, lithium-ion batteries, codes, standards and legislative issues as priorities.

She also highlighted the need to support new firefighters.

Wolford leads the Anne Arundel County Fire Department in Maryland.

She has more than 15 years of experience in fire service.

She has also worked in Montana and Washington.

She returned to Maryland in 2019 as Fire Chief.

She holds an MBA and other advanced leadership qualifications.

She currently serves on IAFC boards.

Wolford now leads a membership of more than 12,000.

Her presidency will last one year.