Glendale Fire Chief Mark Burdick is “Chief Fire Officer of the Year.”
By John Genovese at the Arizona Republic
Glendale Fire Chief Mark Burdick was named “Chief Fire Officer of the Year” by the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association.
Burdick has served nearly three decades with the department and has been chief since 2002.
Burdick was presented the award at a recent City Council meeting by Larry Rooney, the immediate past president of the association, which organizes fire department leaders across the state.
Association members nominate one of their peers each year to receive the honor.
Burdick has championed several programs throughout his career in Glendale.
In 2007, he helped launch the Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center, a facility used by several West Valley cities to train new and veteran firefighters and police.
In 2010, he pioneered the Helicopter Air-Medical and Logistical Operations project, designed as a rapid-response air medical team primarily used to transport critically ill and injured patients to the hospital.
According to the association, Burdick has provided unified guidance on fire-service issues and concerns around the state, in addition to focusing on the health and safety of firefighters.
The organization described the chief as “an excellent example of a progressive and innovative fire service professional.”
Chief Mark Burdick is an Honorary Commander alumnus of Luke Air Force Base for the 56 CES/CC and current member of the Blue Blazer Squadron.
