2026 Arizona
Fire School
CELEBRATING 53 YEARS OF FIRE SERVICE TRAINING AND EDUCATION
September 9-13, 2026
LOCATION
Mesa Convention Center / 263 N Center Street, Mesa AZ 85201 Convention Center Property Map
Delta Hotel by Marriott Mesa / 200 North Centennial Way, Mesa AZ 85201
Meet our 2026
Keynote Speaker
Greg Ruiz,
Interim Chief Deputy
City Manager
City of Tempe, AZ
Greg Ruiz was appointed Interim Chief Deputy City Manager for the City of Tempe in July 2024. In this executive role, he oversees the operations of the Police Department, Fire Medical Rescue Department, and Community Health and Human Services. Prior to this appointment, he served as Tempe’s Deputy City Manager for one year.
With over 37 years of experience in the fire service, including 32 years with the Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department, Greg spent 11 years as Fire Chief, where he led with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and community-based service delivery. His background also includes experience in the private sector working in both ground and air ambulance services.
Greg holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Grand Canyon University and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. He is a graduate of Tempe Leadership Class XXII, the Executive Fire Officer Program, and the Homeland Security Executive Leaders Program at the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security. He is also a Certified Public Manager through the Advanced Public Executive Program at Arizona State University.
An experienced educator, Greg has taught emergency medicine and fire science at local community colleges for over 32 years. Greg was inducted into the Arizona Fire Service Hall of Fame in 2024 and his dedication to the profession was recognized with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association.
Greg’s professional affiliations include the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association. He has also contributed to his community through volunteer work, including time as a Valley Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona.
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 53rd Annual Arizona Fire School on Thursday, September 10, 2026 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 2025 and August 2026.
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 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:
2026 FIRE SCHOOL BROCHURE
Below is a link to the 2026 Fire School Brochure which you may print or download now. The brochure provides a variety of information including specific class locations and event information to assist you during fire school. A printed brochure will not be available at fire school so you are encouraged to download the brochure in advance and bring it with you to fire school. Click on the link below to download the brochure.
2026 United Fire
Firefighter of the Year Award
The search is on... for the 33rd ANNUAL United Fire Firefighter of the Year!
A Firefighter qualifies to be nominated for any courageous action or can also be nominated for making contributions to life safety procedures or education. Nominee must well-represent the character and commitment of the firefighters in Arizona.
Nominations must be for an individual and actions that have taken place between March 1, 2025 and July 15th, 2026. All nominations must be received by August 12, 2026.
Use this link: Nomination Form for complete information and nomination form or call 800-362-0150 for more information. Multiple nominations allowed.
SPECIAL NOTE:
The presentations by the Burn Educators, Fire Mechanics and Arson Investigators will be/were presented at the Arizona Fire Chiefs/Arizona Fire District Leadership Conference Opening Ceremonies on July 15.
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2026 Arizona Fire
School