2023 Arizona
Fire School

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF FIRE SERVICE TRAINING AND EDUCATION

September 6-10, 2023

LOCATION

Mesa Convention Center / 263 N Center Street, Mesa AZ 85201 Convention Center Property Map

Delta Hotels by Marriott Phoenix Mesa / 200 North Centennial Way, Mesa AZ 85201

Meet our 2023 Keynote Speaker

Dr. Kane Nixon is an up-and-coming thought leader who helps public and private industry leaders improve their work cultures by building employee resilience. Kane travels around the United States, speaking about ethics, leadership, and wellness. Kane is the Deputy Chief of Professional Standards, Health, Safety, and Wellness for the Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (AFMA). Kane has been in the fire service since 2001 and with AFMA since 2006. Kane is a Nationally Registered Paramedic, Health and Safety Officer, Threat Liaison Officer, certified personal trainer, and behavioral change specialist. Kane is an Adjunct Faculty member at Northern Arizona University and the Director of Firefighter Fitness and Conditioning at Glendale Community College. Kane holds three associate degrees, a bachelor’s degree in emergency management and public Administration, a master’s degree in educational psychology, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, all from Northern Arizona University.

Kane has a passion for serving others and does so as the Chair of the Scholars Panel of Science to the Station, aka The Science Alliance: a community of scientists, health care, and fire service professionals dedicated to providing critical information needed to improve the safety and health of firefighters and other first responders. Kane has extensive experience in not-for-profit and labor management, serving as the founder and President of the North County Firefighters’ Charities for five years and the Arizona State Director for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, and has held multiple Labor Officer roles with IAFF Local 3573.; Kane is currently an Arizona State Advocate for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Everyone Goes Home Program, District Representative for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, and regularly volunteers at St. Mary’s Food Bank.

Kane’s mission is to live a purpose-driven life that inspires and empowers others to reach their fullest potential. Through continuous learning, empathy, and compassionate action, Kane strives to make a positive impact on the fire service and the world around him.

Dr. Kane Nixon, Ed. D.
Deputy Chief, Arizona Fire & Medical Authority

Special Presentations

Firefighter Memorial Service

Arizona's Fallen Firefighters will be honored at a Firefighter Memorial Service to be conducted during the Opening Ceremonies of the 50th Annual Arizona State Fire School on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 8:30am. The service will include a memorial bell ceremony conducted by personnel of the Mesa Fire and Medical Department Honor Guard & Pipes and Drums, along with other personnel from various fire agencies around the State. The service will recognize all members who have served, including deaths outside of the line of duty and death after retirement that have passed away between August 2022 and August 2023.

If you wish to have a member of your organization recognized at this year's Memorial Service you must provide their name to AzCFSE staff as indicated below. Please also include the individual’s department and years of service.

Please provide the information to the following:

Email: melina.joya@azcfse.org

Or Mail to: Arizona Center for Fire Service Excellence
                  C/o Firefighter Memorial
                  PO Box 132
                  Avondale, AZ 85323-0050

Arizona Fire Service Hall of Fame

List of Previous Inductees

Established in 1998, the Arizona Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made a significant, positive contribution to their community and Arizona's fire service. Individuals nominated are evaluated based on their years of service, service on committees, state or national impact, educational impact, operational impact, contributions to community, organizational impact, legislative impact or other areas that clearly demonstrate the individual's significant contribution to Arizona's Fire Service.

Nominations require a detailed summary of the nominee's significant contributions. The focus of the nomination should be on the overall impact on the Arizona Fire Service. Nominations must clearly indicate an impact beyond the nominee's organization and must be beyond the normal job requirements of the nominee.

Those selected will be inducted into the Arizona Fire Service Hall of Fame during the Opening Ceremonies of the Arizona Fire School held each year. Inductees will receive a personal commemorative plaque and are noted on the permanent Hall of Fame display located at the Hall of Flame Fire Museum located at 6101 E. Van Buren Street in Phoenix.

The nomination period has closed for this year but if you wish to nominate an individual for next year please use the link below:

Hall of Fame Nomination Form

30th Annual Firefighter of the Year

United Fire Equipment will present the Firefighter of the Year Award during the Opening Ceremonies. The individual recipient is honored based on contributions to life safety and the risks and sacrifices they take to help protect our communities.

Submit a nomination for an Extraordinary Hero you know NOW. Nominations must be received by August 10, 2023 and must be for an individual and for actions that have taken place between July 16, 2022 and July 15, 2023. The award recipient will be announced at the 50th Annual Opening Ceremonies of the Arizona State Fire School on Thursday, September 7, 2023.

Use this link: Nomination Form for complete information and nomination form or call 800-362-0150 for more information. Multiple nominations allowed.

OTHER PRESENTATIONS

Arizona Fire & Life Safety Educator of the Year

Each year the Arizona Fire and Burn Educators Association selects a Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year. The individual awarded this honor has made significant contributions to Fire and Life Safety Education, demonstrated outstanding work as an educator, has been successful in increasing public awareness about safety issues, serves as a positive role model in their community and exhibits a commitment to excellence in their educational efforts. Further information and nomination forms may be obtained from the Arizona Fire and Burn Educators Association.

Information available at: https://www.afbea.org/grants-awards

Fire Investigator of the Year

The Arizona Chapter, International Association of Arson Investigators will name the individual who has been selected as a result of their exemplary skills in the field of fire investigation.

Information available at:
Arizona Chapter of the IAAI