The IAFF honored 16 distinguished leaders from the U.S. and Canada with a prestigious Local Leadership Award at the 57th IAFF Convention in Boston.
This award honors IAFF leaders with 15 or more years of service at the Local, state, or provincial level. Recipients, chosen every two years from each of the 16 districts, receive a trophy for their exceptional contributions.
Watch the award presentation in the IAFF 57th Convention playlist.
Here is a full list of the 2024 Local Leadership Award recipients:
District 1 – Steve “Tiny” McConlogue, Elizabeth Fire Officers Association Local 2040
As the former president of the Professional Fire Fighters Association of New Jersey, McConlogue was instrumental in negotiating the “Rank for Rank” policy. This policy was designed to enhance department supervision and safety while preserving work units and job titles. Additionally, he played a crucial role in advocating for an increase in the number of chiefs and captains within the Local.
His achievements also contributed significantly to the enactment of the “Dominick Marino PFRS Enhanced Benefits for Surviving Spouses Act,” which provides financial security for the surviving spouses of members.
District 2 – Matthew M. Jackson, Junction City, KS Local 3309
In 1991, Matthew M. Jackson, now president of the Kansas State Council of Fire Fighters, helped organize Junction City fire fighters into Local 3309. He contributed to growing the affiliate, raising wages and benefits, ushering in binding arbitration, and addressing numerous grievances on behalf of members.
District 3 -John W. Dwyer, Worcester, MA Local 1009
Dwyer, president emeritus of Local 1009, has served as union secretary, treasurer, historian, and now president. He was recognized for his work during the deadly Cold Storage Fire, claiming the lives of six Massachusetts fire fighters and has spent decades contributing to his Local and answering the call to serve.
District 4 – Michael Linynsky, Prince George’s County, MD Local 1619
Linynsky has spent over two decades working long hours and sacrificing personal time to negotiate fair contracts, secure better wages, and ensure safer working conditions for members. He has been a leader in navigating complex labor issues and improving the lives of fire fighters. As a mentor and role model, he inspires the next generation and provides guidance, training, and support to emerging leaders, ensuring the union’s strength and resilience.
District 5 – Michael T. Smith, St. Paul, MN Local 21
As president of Local 21, Smith collaborated with Sen. Amy Klobuchar and the executive board to secure state public safety officer benefits for occupational cancer for the family of fallen St. Paul Fire Captain Michael Paidar.
The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act (S. 930) aims to expand death and disability benefits under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program (PSOB) to cover fire fighters and public safety officers who develop cancer due to on-duty exposure. Smith and Local 21’s advocacy were instrumental in this effort, helping to ensure that other families of fallen officers would no longer have to fight for fair compensation for their loss.
District 6 – Curtis Oscar Noble (posthumous) Medicine Hat, AB Local 263
Noble, the former Local 263 president and VP of the Alberta Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics Association, died unexpectedly in 2022.
His legacy and leadership to negotiate for better working conditions, fair wages, and comprehensive benefits set a gold standard and continues to inspire affiliate leaders across Alberta.
The leadership award honors his passing and exceptional contributions and reinforces the values he championed.
District 7 – Dean Shelton, Marysville, WA Local 3219
Shelton serves as the vice president of the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters and brings nearly three decades of experience at the Local, state, and national levels, working to strengthen affiliates across the 7th District.
By standing in solidarity with farm workers, refinery workers, Teamsters, and teachers, and by forging strong bonds, labor unions united in their recent struggle with Boeing and Local I-66 members.
He is a dedicated advocate for political action, attending fundraisers for candidates who support the cause and lobbying the state legislature for bills that benefit fire fighters on the front lines.
District 8 – Michael Hull, Hammond, IN Local 556
Hull serves as the president of Local 556 and as an instructor for the IAFF, where he specializes in coaching political action. In his role, he is dedicated to building goodwill and fostering strong relationships.
He is recognized for his tireless efforts to support affiliates throughout Indiana, leveraging his expertise and commitment to advocate for the needs and interests of fire fighters and their families.
District 9 – Rocky L. Hanes, Tualatin Valley, OR Local 1660
Hanes is the president of Local 1660 and, in the more than two decades since becoming Local president, he helped secure four-person minimum staffing, organized battalion chiefs, and shortened workweeks for members.
Hanes also serves as secretary-treasurer for the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council and as an IAFF PEP instructor. He helped develop relationships at all levels of government, building trust with elected leaders through outreach efforts.
District 10 – Zac Unger, Oakland, CA Local 55
Unger serves as Local 55 president and is currently running for Oakland City Council in the November general election.
Known as a “force of nature” by friends and foes, Unger has worked tirelessly to protect members’ paychecks, rights, and working conditions. He works behind the scenes to build and nurture relationships with politicians, leading to wins for fire fighters and other union workers.
District 11 – Eric Matthew Stewart, Midland, TX Local 4405
Stewart, a former Local 4405 president, served on the executive board for two decades, assisting members and representing the affiliate at state and national IAFF conventions.
For more than 20 years, Stewart worked to protect members and is known throughout the Lone Star State as a tireless leader dedicated to the Local’s Fill the Boot campaign, achieving one of the highest per capita contribution levels in the nation.
District 12 – Eric “Slick” Johnson, Hialeah, FL Local 1102
Johnson has spent more than 20 years standing up for members facing relentless attacks from their employer. He hasfaced suspension, termination, and harassment for those efforts, long hours away from family, and also battled occupational cancer.
His dedication to results despite challenges is well-received and respected throughout Florida.
District 13 – Stanley J. Double, Hamilton, ON Local 288
Double, a former president of Local 288, joined the fire service in 1990. He quickly made an impact by positively representing members and rising through the ranks.
He negotiated a fair and equitable agreement for Local 288 members after several years of collective agreement arbitrations and led the charge in 2022 to educate members about the benefits of reaffiliation.
He successfully rejoined Local 288 with the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association, uniting fire fighters in the province.
District 14 – William J. Lipscomb, Birmingham, AL Local 117
Lipscomb serves as the vice president of the Professional Fire Fighters Association of Alabama and sits on the Alabama Personnel and Standards Commission.
Alabama fire fighters have repeatedly elected Lipscomb as vice president, demonstrating pride in his commitment to the Local’s members.
As the fight to protect retirement rights in Alabama continues, his tenacity and temperament have allowed the Local and state association to gain ground.
District 15 – Chris Ross, Montreal, QC Local 125
Ross has been a tireless union advocate since 1995 and became the president of the Montreal, QB Local 125 in 2018. Under his leadership, he accomplished the groundbreaking recognition of cancer as an occupational hazard in Quebec, a milestone once deemed impossible.
He has led negotiations with diplomatic prowess, including the introduction of a 24-hour schedule and the addition of nine cancers to Quebec’s presumption list.
District 16 – Michael Stephen Holmes, Federal Fire Fighters of Colts Neck, Local F-147
For over 16 years, Michael Holmes has been the key leader of his local affiliate, consistently running and winning in unopposed elections. His 16-year tenure has been marked by significant achievements, including successfully filing 44 grievances and over 20 unfair labor practices, with most cases resolved in favor of his Local.
Holmes has effectively utilized all available tools to secure favorable outcomes for his members.
