The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) recently presented U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (UT) with its 2023 Legislator of the Year award. 

Since 2019, Senator Romney has represented the state of Utah in the U.S. Senate. During his time in the Senate, he has supported many fire and life safety initiatives, including supporting the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs, as well as the U.S. Fire Administration.

Most notably, Senator Romney was instrumental in the creation of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission. On September 27, 2023, the Commission released a final report with 148 recommendations intended to improve the way the U.S. thinks about, prepares for, and responds to wildfires. 

“Senator Romney has been a strong supporter of the fire and emergency services and has invested his time and energy in the Senate toward helping our country better prepare for and respond to wildfires,” said CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb. “Through his leadership, the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission was created and has put forth recommendations to help shape the future of wildfire in America.”

Since 1992, CFSI has given its Legislator of the Year award to a member or members of Congress who demonstrate outstanding support for the fire and emergency services. Past recipients have been instrumental in moving forward on a number of initiatives affecting fire and EMS personnel and the safety of communities across the nation.