Thought Leadership Essay Contest
Mental health challenges in the fire service are often described as ‘well known’ and widespread. But do we truly understand what the most pressing mental health issues are, why they persist, or how the mental health of firefighters compares to the general population?”
As we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say, we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknowns—the ones we don’t know, we don’t know. It is those in the latter category that tend to be the difficult ones” (Donald Rumsfeld, 2002).
This year’s essay challenges you to examine what makes the fire service unique in its struggles with mental health. Is it the nature of the work, the culture, or larger societal factors? Gaining a deeper understanding of the “why” is the first step toward finding meaningful solutions to these ongoing challenges.
Thought Leadership 2024 Essay Contest Winners
We want to congratulate everyone who dared to submit an essay and especially spotlight the top 3 winners from this process! Enjoy reading these essays and please share your thoughts on the insights.
1st Place
Jamie Howarth
Battalion Chief
Anne Arundel County Fire Department
Essay
Transforming Leadership in the Fire Service by
Embracing Change & Inclusivity
2nd Place
Chris Paskett
Battalion Chief
Eugene Springfield Fire Department
Essay
Overcoming Resistance to Change:
A New
Approach
3rd Place
Chris Truty
Fire Chief (retired)
Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District
Essay
Different Thinking: How the Fire Service Adapts to the Changing and Complex World
Prizes
- 1st place – $3,000
- 2nd place – $2,000
- 3rd place – $1,000
Recognition on Inside Darley video series, Darley Times newsletter, Darley media distribution, partner publications, and the InService Podcast
Essay Format
- Length: 3 to 4 pages (not including cover page).
- Format: 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins.
- File Format: Submit as a PDF.
- Naming Convention: Save as LastName_ FirstName_ Essay2025.pdf
- Cover Page: Include name, title, and contact information (not counted in page total).
Prompt
Understanding the “Why” Behind Mental Health Challenges in the Fire Service: Are Firefighters Really So Unique?
Grading Rubric
There are four criteria for essay grading. Ranked and weighted in importance.
- Specific Solutions Offered – Do you present specific recommendations for change? How innovative, impactful, and viable are the proposed solutions?
- Potential Impact on the Fire Service – Can this impact the fire service in the short and long term? Can this concept move the fire service forward in a positive manner?
- Quality of Writing – How is the essay structure, vocabulary, readability, and overall authorship?
- Intangibles – Is this exciting? Does it challenge preexisting assumptions? Does it invoke a thought-provoking discussion? Is the core message courageous?
Judges
Dr. Burton Clark
National Fire Academy (Retired)
Management Science Chair, American Fire Culture
Nick Russo
FEMA (Retired)
Assistant Director-Office of Federal Disaster Coordination
Vincent B Davis
Feeding America, Senior Director of Disaster Services
LaRae Smiley-Sliger
LaRae Smiley-Sliger, Women in Fire, Emergency Management Director at Hardin County Fire/EMA
Dr. Lindsay Judah
NFFF Fellow, 2023 Essay Winner
Kerry Henderson
James City County Fire, Battalion Chief
2022 Essay Winner
Demond Simmons
Oakland Fire, Deputy Chief
Dr. Danny Kistner
Fire (Retired), Fire Chief
Anthony James
Pasadena Fire Department, Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal
Bertral Washington
San Bernadino County Fire, Deputy Fire Chief
Jamie Hawarth
Anne Arundel County Fire Department, Battalion Chief
2024 Essay Winner
Terri Reid
Baltimore County, EMS Shift Commander
Judge's Quotes
“Darley Essay contest is one way to bring out critical thinkers who will examine specific issues and challenge the fire service to do something that might upset the status quo. The nominees are all practitioners who may actually be working through some of the issues identified by the papers. Each of the authors did complete significant research to validate their paper in a very limited time.”
– Judge John Buckman
“This year’s topic choices were challenging. After reading through numerous essays it is clear that the solutions to hiring, retaining, and ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace are complex. Anecdotal evidence will no longer suffice and agencies must start relying on research and data to find out what is truly working/not working in our industry to make sure we retain our best employees.”
– Judge Kerry Henderson
“Reading these essays provided me proof that there are several thoughts and ideas developing across the country toward building firefighter workforces that reflect the communities we serve. As these strategies are implemented by fire service leaders, we will begin to see continued improvement of our services and our people that provide them.”
– Judge Bertral Washington
Sweepstakes/Contest Disclaimer
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C, you must be 18 years and older. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Entry in the Sweepstakes or Contest constitutes your full and unconditional acceptance of these Official Rules.
CONTEST PERIOD: Darley reserves the right to end the contest at any time. Winners will be selected from entries properly submitted and timely received during the Contest Period.
CONTEST ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS: During the Contest Period, you may submit one entry, and one entry only.
PRIZE: The Prize will be delivered to the winning entrant’s address or at the sole option and discretion of the contest sponsor to a recipient designated by the contest winner.
PARTICIPANT OBLIGATIONS: By participating in the Contest, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor. By accepting the prize, the winner agrees to release and hold Darley and affiliates harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, rights, claims, actions and liabilities of any kind in connection with the Contest or receipt or redemption of the prize.
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