Chief Charles N. Black IV Hall of Fame Awards

Award Purpose

Recognition of distinguished service to the MFCA and an individual department or county fire or rescue service.

Award Sponsor

MFCA

Award Administration

MFCA Hall of Fame Committee

 Description

The Hall of Fame Award was established by the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association (MFCA) Executive Committee in 2021.  The first emphasis to be service to the MFCA and then service to the individual’s department and local jurisdiction.  

Applications

Applications will be completed and submitted via online application only from January 1st to March 1st annually.

Award Rules

 The Hall of Fame will be limited to five (5) individuals who are members of a volunteer fire, rescue, or EMS department/company, either living or deceased, and up to three (3) individuals who are not members of a volunteer fire, rescue, or EMS department / company, either living or deceased. These presentations will be awarded during the “Annual Spring Meeting and Election. 

Names of individuals for nomination to the Hall of fame may be submitted by:

a. The nominee’s home fire, rescue, or EMS department / company, or

b. Any individual in good standing with a fire, rescue, or EMS department / company, or

c. A member department/company in good standing with the MSFA, or

d. An individual member (s) of the Hall of Fame Committee

Nominees must have a minimum of ten (10) years of service to be eligible for consideration.

Nomination to the Hall of Fame should be based upon distinguished service to the MFCA. Distinguished service to the nominees’ individual department/company or county may be considered.

All nominations must be received, in writing, by the Chairperson of the Hall of Fame committee, by March 1st of each year to be considered. Until selected, a letter of nomination for an individual must be submitted each year, nomination letters will not be carried over from year to year. All nomination letters must be signed.

Selection of nominees to the MFCA Hall of Fame will be made annual by the members of the Hall of Fame Committee.

All individuals selected to the MFCA Hall of Fame will receive two (2) certificates, (one for the individual and one for their station.) Each inductee will also receive the Hall of Fame Medal and Ribbon Bar, which was approved by the MFCA Executive Committee in 2021. The ribbon is red/white/blue, and the gold medal is inscribed as “Hall of Fame” and the year, with the MSFA seal in the center. Induction and presentations will take place at the Annual MFCA Awards Banquet.

The names of individuals selected to the Hall of Fame shall be published on the MFCA website along with the year the selection was made.

A permanent plaque may be installed in the Volunteer Firefighter’s Room, Adult Education Center, University of Maryland, College Park, and the MFRI Regional Training Center. These plaques will list the individuals that have been inducted, along with the year the selection was made. The plaques at the Regional Training Centers will list only inductees from the geographical area.

The Chairman shall be responsible for notifying each person who nominated an individual for the Hall of Fame Award and advise the person whether the nominated individual will receive the award or not.  The Chairman shall be responsible for ascertaining the total number of individuals that will be attending the Award ceremonies as guests for each individual Award recipient.