NFPA recognises global leaders in fire protection at 2025 awards gala
Iain Hoey
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NFPA awards recognise global fire and life safety achievements
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) presented a range of awards to individuals and organisations for contributions to fire, electrical and life safety at its 2025 Conference & Expo.
According to NFPA, the awards ceremony took place during the Stars at Night gala on 15 June in Las Vegas.
NFPA presented the Fire Protection Research Foundation Medal to the WUI-NITY 4 project team, which developed a wildfire evacuation modelling tool designed to connect research with real-world application.
The Harry C. Bigglestone Award was given posthumously to Professors Howard R. Baum and James G. Quintiere for their paper, The Emmons Problem Revisited. NFPA said the $5,000 prize was donated to the University of Maryland’s Fire Protection Engineering Program.
The organisation also recognised education, inspection and enforcement leaders with annual awards.
Awards for educators, inspectors and enforcement leaders
NFPA reported that Shawneri Guzman of Washington State received the 2025 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year Award.
Guzman was recognised for her community-based public safety education and the use of NFPA resources in her programming.
Robert Fahey of Wisconsin received the 2025 Electrical Inspector of the Year Award for his long-term service in inspection, code compliance and professional training.
NFPA said Chief Tommy Demopoulos of Tamarac Fire Rescue, Florida, received the 2025 Fire Marshal of the Year Award.
The award highlighted Demopoulos’s educational approach to code enforcement and partnerships with local businesses.
International recognition for lifetime service and advocacy
NFPA awarded the 2025 Distinguished Service Award to Shmuel Netanel of Israel.
It stated that Netanel was recognised for his engineering work and efforts to expand NFPA standards use in the Middle East.
The 2025 James M. Shannon Advocacy Medal was presented to Amy Acton.
NFPA cited Acton’s work supporting burn survivors and shaping national safety policies as reasons for her selection.
Dr Marcelo Hirschler received the 2025 Standards Medal.
The award recognises Hirschler’s decades of leadership in the NFPA standards process and technical input across multiple committees.
Awards for volunteer service and international ecosystem impact
NFPA awarded Donald R. Cook the 2025 Richard G. Biermann Award.
According to NFPA, Cook was honoured for his voluntary contributions to the National Electrical Code and NFPA governance.
The 2025 Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem Global Influencer Award was presented to the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority.
NFPA explained that the award recognised system-level changes implemented by the authority that led to measurable safety improvements across the United Arab Emirates.
Committee Service and Special Achievement Awards also presented
Alongside the named awards, NFPA also recognised various individuals with Committee Service Awards and Special Achievement Awards.
According to the organisation, these were presented to volunteers for their technical contributions and leadership on NFPA code committees.
Full information, including images of award recipients and detailed citations, is available on the NFPA Awards webpage.
NFPA recognises global leaders in fire protection at 2025 awards gala: Summary
The National Fire Protection Association held its Stars at Night awards gala on 15 June 2025.
The event took place during the NFPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas.
NFPA presented the Fire Protection Research Foundation Medal to the WUI-NITY 4 project team.
The Harry C. Bigglestone Award was awarded posthumously to Professors Howard R. Baum and James G. Quintiere.
The 2025 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year was Shawneri Guzman of Washington State.
Robert Fahey of Wisconsin received the 2025 Electrical Inspector of the Year Award.
The 2025 Fire Marshal of the Year Award was presented to Chief Tommy Demopoulos of Florida.
Shmuel Netanel of Israel received the 2025 Distinguished Service Award.
Amy Acton received the 2025 James M. Shannon Advocacy Medal.
Dr Marcelo Hirschler received the 2025 Standards Medal.
Donald R. Cook received the 2025 Richard G. Biermann Award.
The Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority received the 2025 Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem Global Influencer Award.
NFPA also presented Committee Service and Special Achievement Awards.