Honor – Recognize – Nominate

Nominate a Firefighter Today!

Know a firefighter who deserves recognition? Nominations are now open for the 2025–2026 award cycle. (The nomination period for 2024–2025 has closed.)

Nominations are open for heroic actions taken or contributions to life safety made between March 1, 2025, and July 15, 2026.

The deadline for submissions is August 7, 2026, and the winner will be honored at the 52nd Annual Arizona Fire School on September 3, 2026.

Submit a nomination by following these simple steps:

Each nomination is a chance to highlight the selflessness and dedication of Arizona’s firefighters. Whether they’ve saved lives, advanced fire safety education, or demonstrated extraordinary leadership, we want to hear their stories.

Deadline: August 7, 2026
Winner Announced: September 3, 2026

Official Rules

  1. Nominee must be an Arizona firefighter (career or volunteer) recognized for a courageous act or meaningful contribution to life safety, fire prevention, or education.
  2. The qualifying action must have occurred between March 1, 2025 and July 15, 2026.
  3. Nominations must be received by August 12, 2026, and must be for one individual only.
  4. Only one nomination per person is allowed each year. Duplicate or shallow entries may be disqualified.
  5. Submissions must describe a specific event or contribution in enough detail for review by our independent judging panel.
  6. United Fire reserves the right to issue FFOTY T-shirts and Letters of Recognition only for complete and valid nominations.
  7. If multiple people wish to nominate the same firefighter, please consider submitting a single, detailed nomination together.
  8. The winner will be announced at the Arizona State Fire School on Thursday, September 10, 2026, and will receive over $3,000 in prizes, including $1,000 in cash. Their department will also receive a $500 United Fire credit.

FAQs

Find answers to common questions about nominations, eligibility, and the selection process.
We understand that you may have questions about the process. This section provides detailed responses to ensure that everyone can participate and support this initiative effectively.

Any Arizona firefighter—career or volunteer—who demonstrates courage in action or makes significant contributions to life safety, fire prevention, or public education.
While career-long accomplishments are valued, each nomination must highlight a specific, qualifying action or contribution that occurred within the current eligibility period.
Nominations must be for an individual, not a group, and only one nomination per person may be submitted each year.

While a nominee’s career-long accomplishments are considered, each nomination must highlight a specific act of service, heroism, or contribution that occurred within the 14-month period leading up to the nomination deadline, generally from March 1 of the prior year through mid-July of the current year.
The exact eligibility dates are published each year along with the nomination form.

We’ve created a collection of real nomination samples to help you get started—whether you want to keep it simple or go into detailed storytelling.
These examples show that you don’t have to be a professional writer to submit a meaningful nomination. What matters most is clearly describing the nominee’s qualifying action or contribution.  View Sample Nominations

A panel of independent judges selects the winner without knowing the nominee’s name, department, location, gender, or whether they are a career or volunteer firefighter. A panel of independent judges selects the winner without knowing the nominee’s name, department, location, gender, or whether they are a career or volunteer firefighter.

The winner receives over $3,000 in fitting prizes, including $1,000 in cash, along with recognition from the community and the admiration of fellow firefighters. Their department also receives a $500 credit toward future purchases from United Fire.

The award recipient is announced during the opening ceremonies of Arizona Fire School, held the first Thursday after Labor Day each year at Centennial Hall in the Mesa Convention Center.  Learn more about the ceremony.

Any business or nonprofit organization is welcome to become a Firefighter of the Year (FFOTY) sponsor. Cash contributions and prize donations for the winner are appreciated and go directly toward supporting the award program. While not tax deductible, these contributions help honor Arizona’s finest.
In the past, we’ve been thrilled to receive items such as turnout gear and other PPE, vacation packages, restaurant and retail gift certificates, sporting event tickets, and more.
All sponsors are recognized and promoted on the Firefighter of the Year website and may proudly share that they support the fire service in Arizona through this meaningful program.
To request a sponsor form, email: ffoty@ufec.com.

Celebrate with Us!

Join us for the 53rd Arizona State Fire School Opening Ceremony where we will announce the 2026 Firefighter of the Year.

Date: September 3, 2026
Location: Arizona State Fire School

This event is a moment of pride and celebration for Arizona’s fire service community. Mark your calendar and be part of this special occasion!