Coleman Recipient of Prestigious ICC President's Award

Code Council Board Immediate Past President Adolf Zubia (left) presents former California State Fire Marshal Ron Coleman with the prestigious ICC President's Award during the 2009 Annual Conference banquet in Baltimore.

“It has been well understood that Benjamin Franklin was the nation’s first fire chief,” said Zubia, who also serves as Fire Chief for the City of Las Cruces, New Mexico. “But I would like to add, without a doubt, that our nation’s all-time best fire chief is Ronny J. Coleman. Not only is he the best fire chief in the nation, serving as a fire service diplomat, but he is a true, patient gentleman, and a person I consider a great leader and mentor.”

Throughout his career, Coleman has been an advocate for the adoptions and enforcement of building and fire safety codes as measures to protect communities in the United States and around the globe.

“Ronny played an instrumental role in having the International Codes adopted as the basis for California’s building and fire safety codes, and he continues to be a strong advocate for our codes today,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Richard P. Weiland. “While we celebrate and congratulate Ronny on his 40-plus year career, we look forward to his continued service and dedication to our industry.”

Coleman also served as Chief Deputy Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and was Fire Chief for the cities of Fullerton and San Clemente, California, along with serving as Operations Chief for the Costa Mesa, California, Fire Department. He currently is President of the Fire and Emergency Television Network and the National Fire Heritage Center, an organization dedicated to preserving important fire service historical documents writings. He is also Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.