Honoring Excellence: FSPA Announces 2026 Award Recipients at the 9th Annual Conference
One of the most inspiring moments of the Fire Service Psychology Association’s 9th Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon, was the presentation of the organization’s annual awards recognizing individuals whose work has made a profound impact on the behavioral health, wellness, and resilience of firefighters, first responders, and their families.
This year’s honorees represented the very best of the fire service psychology community: a distinguished researcher and advocate for first responder families, a transformational fire service leader who changed the culture of mental health in his region, and a clinician whose innovative model of care has redefined access to behavioral health services for firefighters.
2026 Psychologist of the Year
The Fire Service Psychology Association proudly presented the 2026 Psychologist of the Year Award to Dr. Kelly Dean Schwartz, an internationally recognized psychologist, professor, researcher, and advocate for first responder families.
For more than three decades, Dr. Schwartz has dedicated his career to helping children, youth, and families thrive. In recent years, his work has focused on understanding and strengthening the resilience of military, law enforcement, fire service, and paramedic families. His research has highlighted both the challenges and unique strengths of families who support those serving on the front lines of public safety.
As a leading authority on first responder family wellness, Dr. Schwartz has collaborated with organizations including the Canadian Institute of Military and Veteran Health Research, the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. His award-winning work led to the development of the Re: Building Families Program, an evidence-informed initiative that helps spouses and partners of first responders strengthen communication, resilience, and family well-being.
Conference attendees were already familiar with Dr. Schwartz’s contributions through his previous presentations to the fire service community, including his participation in the 2024 FSPA Conference. Throughout his career, he has consistently helped bridge the gap between psychological science and practical, real-world support for firefighters and their families across Canada and the United States.
The award recognized his extraordinary contributions to firefighter behavioral health, family resilience, and the continuing advancement of fire service psychology.
2026 Fire Service Leader of the Year
FSPA also honored Deputy Fire Chief Chris Fennell with the Flagstaff (Ariz.) Fire Department, with the 2026 Fire Service Leader of the Year Award for his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to improving first responder mental health.
Chief Fennell played a pivotal role in establishing a comprehensive behavioral health program through a partnership with a local counseling center. The program provides wellness screenings, evidence-based counseling, critical incident response services, crisis intervention, and rapid access to care, ensuring that first responders can connect with a clinician within 48 hours when support is needed.
Recognizing that behavioral health challenges extend beyond any single department, Chief Fennell worked tirelessly to expand the model throughout Northern Arizona. His efforts helped bring critical mental health services to multiple fire, law enforcement, and healthcare organizations, fundamentally transforming attitudes toward behavioral wellness across the region.
Under his leadership, seeking support became a sign of strength rather than stigma. Firefighters increasingly embraced a culture in which conversations about mental health, resilience, and wellness became part of everyday operations. His work has not only improved lives but has also attracted research interest examining the effectiveness of these innovative approaches.
Known for his compassion, integrity, and servant leadership, Chief Fennell has become a national example of how fire service leaders can champion wellness while strengthening organizational culture. The award recognized a career dedicated to improving the health and well-being of first responders.
2026 Masters-Level Clinician of the Year
The 2026 Masters-Level Clinician of the Year Award was presented to Marie Gumá, MS, whose visionary leadership and innovation have transformed access to behavioral health care for firefighters and other first responders throughout Florida.
Gumá’s work was shaped by her experiences supporting agencies during some of the state’s most devastating tragedies, including the Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in Surfside, the death of Boynton Beach Fire Rescue Lieutenant Alvis Fernandez, and the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Working directly alongside affected agencies, she recognized a troubling reality: first responders often faced significant barriers when attempting to access culturally competent mental health care.
Rather than simply documenting the problem, Gumá took action. She founded Command Counseling Center, a groundbreaking initiative that embedded fully funded, barrier-free behavioral health services directly within fire-rescue departments. The model eliminated many of the obstacles that traditionally prevent first responders from seeking care, including lengthy waits, insurance complications, and concerns about working with clinicians unfamiliar with the culture of emergency services.
Her comprehensive approach included individual and family counseling, 24/7 critical incident clinical support, policy consultation, peer support integration, family education, training programs, and annual mental health screenings. The model reflected a systems-level approach to care, addressing not only individual wellness but also the broader organizational culture surrounding mental health.
Perhaps most impressively, Gumá successfully united department leadership, labor organizations, government agencies, and firefighters around a common goal: ensuring that those who dedicate their lives to protecting others have immediate access to the care and support they deserve.
Through her leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to first responder wellness, Marie Gumá has established a model that is influencing behavioral health delivery throughout the fire service.
Celebrating Leadership, Innovation, and Service
The 2026 FSPA award recipients exemplified the mission of the Fire Service Psychology Association: advancing firefighter behavioral health through evidence-based practice, innovative leadership, meaningful collaboration, and unwavering dedication to the well-being of first responders and their families.
As attendees gathered in Portland to learn, connect, and share ideas, these honorees reminded us that lasting change is made possible by individuals willing to lead, innovate, and advocate on behalf of those who serve their communities every day. Their contributions continue to strengthen the fire service and improve countless lives across North America.