George D. Post Instructor of the Year

The George D. Post Instructor of the Year Award recognizes individuals for extraordinary accomplishments in fire service training. Winners of the award are recognized on the main stage during FDIC in April, held in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Individuals who are selected for this prestigious award have:

  • Advanced the cause of firefighter operational effectiveness and safety;
  • Gone above and beyond the call of duty in training;
  • Brought creativity and innovation to fire training programs, or will have shown great persistence in pursuing an innovative program; and
  • Served as a positive role model for other fire instructors and firefighters throughout the county.

FDIC International 2023 Instructor of the Year: Keith Stakes

Nominations are being accepted through December 31, 2023. Nominate an instructor for this prestigious award.

Nominate Someone Now

Past Recipients

1974 – Harvey Grant; Delaware

1975 – Floyd “Bill” Nelson; Iowa

1976 – George Shonske; Indiana

1977 – Glen Boughton; Kansas

1978 – Curt Holter; Minnesota

1979 – Milo Jacobs; South Dakota

1980 – Billy Harris; Arkansas

1981 – Matthew Jackson; West Virginia

1982 – Morton Shurtleff; Massachusetts

1983 – Dr. Jeffery Mitchell, PhD; Maryland

1984 – Ronald E. Moore; New York

1985 – Julius Halas; Florida

1986 – Peter Duran; New Mexico

1987 – Christopher J. Naum; New York

1988 – Michael Callen; Connecticut

1989 – Willa K. Little; Maryland

1990 – Frank Schaper; Missouri

1991 – Dennis Compton; Arizona

1992 – Frank Docimo; Connecticut

1993 – David Ross; Canada   

1994 – Kevin Coleman; West Virginia

1995 – Michael T. Reimer; Florida

1996 – Robert Fleming; New Jersey

1997 – David Dodson; Colorado

1999 – Doug Cline; North Carolina

2000 – Francis “Frank” Brannigan; Maryland

2001 – Robert M. Linsinbigler, Jr.; Pennsylvania2002 – Alan Brunacini; Arizona

2003 – Mike Wieder; Oklahoma

2004 – Billy Goldfeder; Ohio

2005 – Jim Crawford; Pennsylvania

2006 – John Tippett; Maryland

2007 – Forest Reeder; Illinois

2009 – Daniel Madrzykowski; Maryland

2010 – Robert Colameta, Jr.; Massachusetts

2011 – Brian P. Kazmierzak; Indiana

2012 – Anthony Avillo; New Jersey

2013 – Mark Emery; Washington

2014 – Steve Kerber; Illinois

2015 – Eddie Buchanan, Virginia

2016 – Peter VanDorpe; Illinois

2017 – Aaron Fields; Washington

2018 - Paul Combs; Ohio

2019 - Anthony Kastros; California

2020/2021 - Patrick J. Kenny, Illinois

2022 - Joseph Nedder, Massachusetts

2023 - Keith Stakes, Maryland

2024 - Bill Gustin, Florida