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Congratulations to the 2025 NCAFC Award Winners

Congratulations to the NCAFC award winners who were recognized at the MWC 2025 Awards Banquet.


[L to R: Chief Donald Burns, Chief Chris Johnson, Chief Garrett Taylor, Chief Ronnie Locke]
[L to R: Chief Donald Burns, Chief Chris Johnson, Chief Garrett Taylor, Chief Ronnie Locke]

  • Career Fire Officer of the Year

Donald Burns

Wilmington FD


Chief Burns has exhibited extraordinary leadership, innovation, and dedication to the fire service. His work as Assistant Chief of the Training and Safety Division has transformed the WFD and set a standard of excellence for the broader fire service community.


Chief Burns' most notable achievement is his groundbreaking approach to firefighter training. Chief Burns developed a comprehensive online certificate program with ten advanced courses. These courses cover crucial topics, including fire behavior, tactical operations, leadership, hazardous materials response, and EMS. Chief Burns crafted a program that anticipates the complexities of modern firefighting while maintaining practical, hands-on training. This innovation has set a new benchmark in the field.


Chief Burns' leadership has led to marked improvements in the readiness and performance of WFD personnel and his meticulous attention to detail has helped maintain the WFD's reputation as a safety and training excellence leader


  • Career Fire Chief of the Year

Chris Johnson

Summerfield Fire District


Chief Johnson unofficially started with the Summerfield Fire District as a young child responding to calls with his grandfather who was the first ever Chief of the Department. Chief Johnson officially joined the department as a volunteer member in 1990 at the age of 16. He served in many positions to include firefighter, driver, training officer, Captain and Assistant Chief. In 2007 he followed in his grandfather's footsteps becoming the 4th Chief at the Summerfield Fire District.


Chief Johnson has a Bachelor of Science in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology from Eastern Kentucky University. Chief Johnson has received many awards including Volunteer/Employee of the year, life saving awards and technical rescue awards.


Under Chief Johnson’s leadership and training the Summerfield Fire District has improved from an ISO class 6 to now an ISO Class 2.


  • Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year

Garrett Taylor

Bryson City FD


Chief Taylor started his fire service career as a junior member at Bryson City in 2006. He was selected as a Lieutenant in 2010, promoted to Captain in 2012 and has held the rank of Assistant Chief since 2016. Chief Garrett served as the Chief of Western Carolina University’s Student EMS Response Team and currently serves as a Lieutenant for Cherokee Fire & Rescue. Chief Taylor is also active with the Swain County Strike Team, and is a part-time fire and EMS instructor with Southwestern Community College.


Chief Garrett served as a Division Chief during the Thomas Divide Complex fire, a wildland fire incident spanning multiple days and involving over 1000 acres of urban interface areas. His actions during this incident directly contributed to saving 52 structures.


  • Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year

Ronnie Locke

Enfield FD


Chief Locke has been a member of Enfield Fire Department for 51 years and has been the Chief of Department for 26 years. Chief Locke has been the driving force in the Enfield Fire Department's ISO rating improving from a 9S to a rating of 4. He has overseen the fire department going from a 3-apparatus department to 2 stations, training facility, dedicated helicopter Landing Zone, and 9 apparatus.


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