IAFC - International Association of Fire Chiefs
08/17/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/17/2026 09:59
Chief Steven Locke Installed as 150th President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs
Kansas City, MO - The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) proudly welcomed its 150th President on Friday, August 14, 2026, during the annual Fire-Rescue International Conference.
Chief Steven Locke, of the South Burlington Fire Department (VT), was officially sworn in as IAFC president and Board Chair, succeeding outgoing President Chief Trisha Wolford of Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Chief Locke was joined in office by newly sworn executive leaders Chief Ernest Malone (Indianapolis, IN), First Vice President, and Chief Mike Snider (Lee's Summit, MO), Second Vice President. Chief Wolford will continue to serve on the IAFC Executive Committee as Immediate Past President.
As IAFC president, Chief Locke will serve as the association's official spokesperson and representative, preside over meetings of the Association and Board of Directors, and lead the organization in advancing the fire and emergency services worldwide.
"Together with our CEO, Donna Black, our Board of Directors, our Divisions, Sections, Committees, and Task Forces, I intend to push hard to ensure we are living up to our vision statement: igniting global leaders for a safer tomorrow. The IAFC must be the voice of fire service leadership. We must be engaged in every aspect of our profession, representing everyone from the largest metro departments to the smallest volunteer organizations across the globe," Chief Locke said in his acceptance speech.
Chief Locke was sworn in by his longtime mentor, Chief John Wood Jr., and introduced by his friend, South Burlington Fire Chief Jesse Baker. Baker praised Locke, saying:
"In all he does, Chief Locke creates momentum. He identifies areas for improvement and action, he moves them forward, he gets stuff done, and he delivers results. He doesn't wait for change-but creates the change that improves any team in which he plays a role."
In his closing remarks, Chief Locke emphasized the importance of remaining relevant and future-focused.
"Serving as IAFC president was never an aspiration of mine. Anyone who knows me well understands that I am an introvert by nature. I'm more comfortable working behind the scenes than standing behind a podium. But after ten years on the IAFC Board, I also understood the moment we are in. I saw the need for steady, strong leadership, the need to sharpen our focus on member value, and the need to remain contemporary, relevant, and forward-looking while still honoring our traditions and the people who paved the way for us. Those needs are why I am both honored and humbled to serve as President of the IAFC."
IAFC Presidents serve one-year terms, providing strategic leadership and helping advance the Association's mission to lead, educate, and serve the fire and emergency service community around the globe.
Chief Steven Locke, of the South Burlington Fire Department (VT), was officially sworn in as IAFC president and Board Chair, succeeding outgoing President Chief Trisha Wolford of Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Chief Locke was joined in office by newly sworn executive leaders Chief Ernest Malone (Indianapolis, IN), First Vice President, and Chief Mike Snider (Lee's Summit, MO), Second Vice President. Chief Wolford will continue to serve on the IAFC Executive Committee as Immediate Past President.
As IAFC president, Chief Locke will serve as the association's official spokesperson and representative, preside over meetings of the Association and Board of Directors, and lead the organization in advancing the fire and emergency services worldwide.
"Together with our CEO, Donna Black, our Board of Directors, our Divisions, Sections, Committees, and Task Forces, I intend to push hard to ensure we are living up to our vision statement: igniting global leaders for a safer tomorrow. The IAFC must be the voice of fire service leadership. We must be engaged in every aspect of our profession, representing everyone from the largest metro departments to the smallest volunteer organizations across the globe," Chief Locke said in his acceptance speech.
Chief Locke was sworn in by his longtime mentor, Chief John Wood Jr., and introduced by his friend, South Burlington Fire Chief Jesse Baker. Baker praised Locke, saying:
"In all he does, Chief Locke creates momentum. He identifies areas for improvement and action, he moves them forward, he gets stuff done, and he delivers results. He doesn't wait for change-but creates the change that improves any team in which he plays a role."
In his closing remarks, Chief Locke emphasized the importance of remaining relevant and future-focused.
"Serving as IAFC president was never an aspiration of mine. Anyone who knows me well understands that I am an introvert by nature. I'm more comfortable working behind the scenes than standing behind a podium. But after ten years on the IAFC Board, I also understood the moment we are in. I saw the need for steady, strong leadership, the need to sharpen our focus on member value, and the need to remain contemporary, relevant, and forward-looking while still honoring our traditions and the people who paved the way for us. Those needs are why I am both honored and humbled to serve as President of the IAFC."
IAFC Presidents serve one-year terms, providing strategic leadership and helping advance the Association's mission to lead, educate, and serve the fire and emergency service community around the globe.
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