Naperville fire chief wins national award

Naperville fire Chief Mark Puknaitis had planned to skip the International Association of Fire Chiefs conference in Texas this week due to budgetary constraints.

But City Manager Doug Krieger coaxed him to go, secretly knowing a prestigious national award, not to mention an all-expenses paid trip, was awaiting the chief in the Lone Star State.

Puknaitis won the Ray Picard Award Thursday night for his work over the years in fire department accreditation.

"It's exciting, something that certainly was an honor and a privilege to get," Puknaitis said Friday. "It's something a lot of other people ... who have made a huge contribute to fire service have received in previous years and I'm very happy to be selected as part of that group."

As he headed to Texas earlier this week, Puknaitis didn't even know he was among the 11 nominees from around the country.

The award is named after retired Huntington Beach, Calif., fire Chief Ray Picard, one of the founders of fire and emergency service accreditation. Since 2000, it has been given to a person who provides leadership in accreditation and those who "exemplify the ability, character and dedication and leadership attributes" of Picard.

"I'm not surprised by the national accolades being bestowed upon the chief," Krieger said. "Prior to even coming to Naperville he was well known as a leader in fire service, particularly in the area of accreditation."

Puknaitis formed and serves as chairman of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association's accreditation committee and is president of the Illinois Fire Accreditation Managers group. He also created a mock review for agencies that are about to go through the accreditation process to help them prepare.

Illinois Fire Chiefs Association President Joe Holomy was among several people to nominate Puknaitis for the award he called "very competitive."

"Because of these two positions he was highly recognized and known to be a great mentor across the state of Illinois," Holomy said.

Puknaitis has been Naperville's fire chief since December 2008. Before that he spent 23 years in the field, including 11 as deputy chief in Oak Park. The chief said he is pleased with his first year working for Naperville, having reorganized the department to try to make it run more efficiently and overseeing the construction of the city's 10th fire station.

He said he knew the Naperville department had an excellent reputation but the people in it have exceeded his expectations.

"Coming in as a stranger you don't know how you will be accepted ... and that has been the most rewarding," he said. "Getting to know people and developing really solid relationships with the rank and file."