The Annual Research Symposium that supports the International Fire Service Journal of Leadership and Management (IFSJLM) was held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on July 13, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. At the research symposia, national and international scholars present papers on topics related to fire leadership and management. IFSJLM is sponsored and published by Fire Protection Publications (FPP) and the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) located on the campus of Oklahoma State University (OSU).
2019 Research Symposium (RS 16)
At the 2019 Research Symposium, Dr. Gavin Horn received the Dr. John Granito Award for Excellence in Fire Leadership and Management Research that is presented each year at the symposium in recognition of outstanding achievement in fire-related research. This award is named in honor of Dr. John Granito, one of the premier fire and public safety consultants in the United States.
Dr. Granito served in a number of academic positions for almost 30 years. He is Professor Emeritus and Retired Vice President for Public Service and External Affairs at State University of New York-Binghamton.
Firefighter health and safety expert
Dr. Horn has served as the Director of Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Research since August 2004, immediately after receiving his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research interests focus on firefighter health and safety, First Responder technology development, material testing and design, and non-destructive evaluation.
His research on firefighter wellness has enhanced the health and safety of American firefighters"
In recent years, Dr. Horn has been one of the leaders in examining fire service occupational cancer issues. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and given numerous presentations at meetings, conferences and symposia around the world.
Commenting on this award, Dr. Robert England, IFSJLM Founding Editor said, “Dr. Gavin Horn is a well-known and respected scholar. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles in very prestigious academic journals and has received about 15 million dollars in grants to support his research. During the past two decades, his research focusing on structural firefighting and firefighter wellness issues and concerns has enhanced the health and safety of American firefighters and EMS personnel.”
Dr. John Granito Award recipient
Dr. England adds, “Congratulations to Dr. Gavin Horn for being selected the Dr. John Granito Award recipient for Research Symposium 2019. We applaud his dedication to and passion for enhancing the quality of life and well-being of the women and men in the fire service through his scientific research.”