IAFF Media Awards Contest

The International Association of Fire Fighters Media Awards Contest, conducted annually, honors reporting and photography that best portray the professional and dangerous work of fire fighters and emergency medical personnel in the United States and Canada.

Valor and loss were common themes in the 2008 Media Awards Contest, along with the all-in-a-day’s-work acts of heroism that typify professional fire fighters and paramedics. Over print, broadcast and the Internet, these stories come to life from many perspectives.

In addition, these awards recognize outstanding work by IAFF affiliates in communicating with their members and generating public awareness for fire fighters in their respective communities. The stories and photos entered also bring to light important issues that affect the welfare of fire fighters throughout North America.

NEWS or FEATURE STORY
(Circulation Under 100,000)
FIRST PLACE: “Trapped: The Story of Nine Charleston Firefighters’ Deaths”
The Charleston Post & Courier
Written by: Glenn Smith and Ron Menchaca
Submitted by: Charleston, SC Local 61

NEWS PHOTO
(Circulation Under 100,000)
FIRST PLACE: “City Manager Exits Fire Ops: Fire Attack"
Lawrence Journal World
Photo by: Richard Gwin
Submitted by: Lawrence, KS Local 1596

NON-PUBLISHED PHOTO
(By an IAFF Member)
FIRST PLACE: "Body Recovery"
Photo by: Steve Gerbert
Submitted by: Jacksonville, FL 122

AFFILIATE WEB SITE
FIRST PLACE: “www.affi-iaff.org”
Produced by: Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois
Submitted by: Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois

BEST STORY ON A WEB NEWS SITE
FIRST PLACE: "Fire Power"
www.wane.com
Reported by: Alyssa Ivanson
Submitted by: Fort Wayne, IN Local 124

EDITORIAL or COLUMN
FIRST PLACE: "Political Action Works"
Daily Herald
Written by: John P. Fahy
Submitted by: Elgin, IL Local 439

AFFILIATE PUBLICATION
(Circulation Under 1,000)
FIRST PLACE: "The Vermont Professional Firefighter"
Produced by: Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont
Submitted by: Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont

AFFILIATE CALENDAR
FIRST PLACE: “Philadelphia Fire Fighters' Union Local 22 Calendar”
Produced by: Philadelphia, PA Local 22
Submitted by: Philadelphia, PA Local 22

NEWS or FEATURE STORY
(Circulation Over 100,000)
FIRST PLACE: “Two Heroes Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice”
Winnipeg Free Press
Submitted by: Winnipeg, MB Local 867

NEWS PHOTO
(Circulation Over 100,000)
FIRST PLACE: “Southland Blazes"
Los Angeles Times
Photo by: Karen Tapia-Anderson
Submitted by: Los Angeles, CA Local 112

T.V. NEWS FEATURE/DOCUMENTARY
FIRST PLACE: “Fire Fighters: At Work, at Risk”
WFRV-TV
Reported by: Tammy Elliott and Mike Vandersnick
Submitted by: Green Bay, WI Local 414

T.V. NEWS STORY
FIRST PLACE: “"The Charleston Fire”
ABC World News
Reported by: Steve Osunsami and Harvey Goldberg
Submitted by: Charleston, SC Local 61

RADIO NEWS STORY or EDITORIAL
FIRST PLACE: “Merrill Plays Fire Fighter, Part 2”
KLWN 1320 AM
Reported by: Chris Merrill
Submitted by: Lawrence, KS Local 1596

AFFILIATE PR or POLITICAL CAMPAIGN
FIRST PLACE: “Fire Fighters for McGuinty" and "Answering the Call"
Produced by: Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association
Submitted by: Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association

AFFILIATE PUBLICATION
(Circulation Over 1,000)
FIRST PLACE (TIE): “Intrepid”
Produced by: James Coone, Editor
Submitted by: Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association
FIRST PLACE (TIE): "Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona Magazine"
Produced by: Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona
Submitted by: Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona

SPECIAL ONE-TIME PROJECT
FIRST PLACE: “Firefighters Protection Act of 2007”
Produced by: Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont
Submitted by: Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont

FIRE SERVICE PHOTO ON A WEB SITE
FIRST PLACE: “Last Alarm”
Photo by: Michael D. Ryan
Submitted by: Chicago, IL Local 2