2026 MSFCA Awards Recipients

The individuals below were honored at the MSFCA Awards Banquet at the 2026 MSFCA Annual Conference on Friday, October 16 in Duluth. Thank you for your contributions to your communities and the Minnesota Fire Service. Congratulations!

Fire Officer of the Year - Population under 10,000
Chip Lohmiller, Fire Chief, Crosslake Fire Department

Fire Officer of the Year - Population over 10,000

Jeff Laskowske, Fire Chief, Albert Lea Fire Rescue

Leadership Award
Mike Mondor, Fire and EMS Chief, Maplewood Fire Department

Public Fire Education Firefighter/Department Recognition Award
Tom Pitscheider, Fire Marshal, Shakopee Grove Fire Department 

Magazine Awards
Frank Oberg Article of the Year: Chris Harig, Division Chief, Prevention and Inspections, Fergus Falls, 

"Don't Stay Too Long"

Tony Richardson Cover of the Year: Stacy Heinlein, Fall 2025 Issue