STILLWATER, Okla. – Nancy Trench, retired Fire Protection Publications assistant director, was approved for emeritus status by the IFSTA Executive Board during the 90th IFSTA Summer Validation Conference, July 8, 2023.
“Nancy has had a tremendous impact on the Fire Service by being very active and engaged in advancing public education to make our communities safer,” said Mary Cameli, IFSTA Executive Board chair and Mesa Fire and Medical Department fire chief. “Her passion for education and keeping the fire service active in educating the public has truly saved lives across the globe.”
Trench retired from FPP in 2019 after working 43 years in the various fire programs. In her last 20 years as FPP assistant director, she was responsible for advertising, social media, and marketing. Trench also led externally funded projects resulting in several million dollars in funding.
“Nancy Trench established a legacy of leadership and innovation in fire service training and public fire and life safety education during her career,” said Mike Weider, IFSTA executive director and FPP associate director. “Few people have had the enormous impact on the public fire and life safety education field Nancy did in her decades of work in that arena. This includes her leadership in validating several editions of the IFSTA Fire and Life Safety Educator manual. She is recognized as one of the true leaders in that field. Her emeritus status with IFSTA is well-deserved.”
Another impact Trench had was on the IFSTA Validation Conferences. She was in charge of branding the hotels with large images that reflected the work of the committees meeting at that conference, welcoming attendees, and promoting new publications.
Trench has developed numerous groundbreaking programs that have resulted in the reduction of fire deaths and injuries in Oklahoma, the United States, and beyond. She has won such awards as the Dr. Anne W. Phillips Award for Leadership in Fire Safety Education, Everett E. Hudiburg Memorial Award, and Marvin L. Austin Distinguished Leadership Award.
Trench’s emeritus status will be recognized during IFSTA’s next Summer Validation Conference, July 13-16.
Emeritus status may be bestowed upon a person who either has at least 20 years of service as an IFSTA delegate and is no longer active in their fire service or related career or upon a person who has been designated by the IFSTA Executive Board. These individuals retain the highest title held in their IFSTA participation.
WRITTEN BY: Sarah Palmer | FPP Marketing Specialist
The International Fire Service Training Association is an organization of fire service personnel who are dedicated to upgrading firefighting techniques and safety through training. Since 1934, IFSTA has been the worldwide leader of the fire service in developing fire and emergency responder training materials. IFSTA produces training manuals, eBooks, curriculum, test prep, workbooks, skill sheets, interactive courses, instructor resources and more. For IFSTA-FPP media inquiries, contact the IFSTA Marketing Department at marketing@ifsta.org or call 800-654-4055.