Over 1,300 members of the fire service from across the country, came together on February 13th in Washington DC to attend the CFSI National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner. Receiving the top award of the night, the 2025 CFSI/Motorola Solutions Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award, was Rhode Island's own Deputy Chief Kevin Quinn of the Union Fire District of South Kingstown. Members of the RI Association of Fire Chiefs and RIAFC Foundation boards were in attendance to support Deputy Chief Quinn along with members of the RI Southern Firefighters League and members of his own Union Fire District.

Along with the actual presentation of the award, Chief Quinn's acceptance speech was one of the many highlights of the night that included a biographical video presentation with supporting statements from many fire service dignitaries and friends. To offer the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the night, Chief Quinn was accompanied to the stage by two of his young grandchildren, who made their grandfather very proud by leading the very large crown with the pledge.

Those of us associated with the Rhode Island fire service could not be more proud of Chief Quinn and all of his accomplishments. Congratulations Kevin!