2024 Thought Leadership Essay Contest
The essay competition is not about reiterating known problems in the fire service, restating current doctrine, or drafting theoretical essays; it’s about offering original thought and identifying actions to address the specific root causes of institutional and interpersonal resistance.
Thought-provoking essays will ignite discussions and challenge readers to understand & embrace their roles in a diverse and evolving fire service. We encourage new ideas to help foster a culture within the fire service that embraces both change and curiosity. Authors and readers of this essay should be motivated and challenged to act beyond the status quo using critical thinking concepts.
We encourage participants to focus on the substance of their ideas and put personal experiences in context without spending too much of their essays on personal stories. We also encourage you to address impactful change at every level of the organization so that the proposed solutions have a broader reach and contribute to overall organizational improvement.
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
- 3 pages maximum / 1500 word maximum
- 12-point, Times New Roman
- Double-space
- Submit as a PDF (preferred) or Word Document
- PLEASE do not include your name on the essay!
Timeline
April 8 – June 16, 2024
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
Management Science Chair, American Fire Culture
Rachael Staebell
Firefighter/Paramedic at City of Colorado Springs
Vincent B Davis
Senior Director of Disaster Services
LaRae Smiley-Sliger
Emergency Management Director at Hardin County Fire/EMA
Nick Russo
Ast. Director-Office of Federal Disaster Coordination
Dr. Lindsay Judah
EGH Fellow, 2023 Essay Winner
Kerry Henderson
Battalion Chief, 2022 Essay Winner
Demond Simmons
Deputy Chief
Dr. Danny Kistner
Lead Coordinator, Fire Chief
Anthony James
Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal
Lisa Mayer
Deputy Chief (Retired)
Martin Serna
Deputy Fire Chief
Bertral Washington
Deputy Fire Chief
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.
GENERAL RULES: By entering or participating in the Contest, participants agree for their submission to be used for marketing purposes and to be bound by these Official Rules, and by the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects.