~ Colorado Springs Fire Chief Randy Royal has been named the Career 2024 Fire Chief of the Year by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). The prestigious award was presented to Chief Royal on Wednesday, August 14th at the 2024 Fire-Rescue International Conference in Dallas, Texas.

The IAFC has been recognizing outstanding fire chiefs since 1996 with their International Fire Chief of the Year award. This award honors one volunteer and one career fire chief who have shown exceptional leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, public service, and contributions to the fire service on an international level. With over 22,000 fire chiefs in the country from both volunteer and career departments, being selected as the Fire Chief of the Year is a great honor.

Chief Royal's dedication and positive contributions to leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, service to the public, and contributions to the Colorado Fire Service as a whole were also recognized in 2023 when he was awarded the Division of Fire Prevention and Control State (DFPC) George Mazzotti Fire Chief of the Year.

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Chief Royal has been a member of the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) since 1987 and has over 42 years of experience in emergency services. He has served as a Chief Officer for 16 years in various positions such as Battalion Chief, Shift Commander, and Deputy Chief before being sworn in as Fire Chief in 2021.

Throughout his career with CSFD, Chief Royal has been involved in numerous programs and projects including initiating the tactical emergency medical program and working on early hazmat and tox-medic programs. He also managed the medical division and played a key role in developing an awards and recognition program for the department. Additionally, he chaired their rebranding committee and led their pandemic taskforce. His dedication to his work has earned him several awards including two Medals of Distinguished Service and the Firefighter of the Year award. However, Chief Royal is most proud of being recognized for his efforts during the Castle West Apartment, Waldo Canyon, and Black Forest fires.

Chief Royal's commitment to his profession and his community has not gone unnoticed. The IAFC's selection of him as the Career 2024 Fire Chief of the Year is a testament to his outstanding leadership and contributions to the fire service.

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